Artesà ASX321 in action.

scott99 said:

Hi, very nice machine, wonderful results, imaginative invention. I don't see why anyone would bother to try to compete with it, just like all computer driven machining. Fast accurate and it never gets tired. When that happened to standard machining the last Masters lost their jobs and went on to sell sausage or something and no new people were ever trained. Now talented machinists are all dying and a trade was lost to the world. I know that tags me as a Luddite but I have seen so much training and ability lost to the world, never to be seen again.

Just an opinion, it is in fact a very cool machine I just don't like the future it represents.

scott99

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Hi Scott, thank you very much for your kind comments on the machine.

I can understand you very well. Although I usually try to skip this debate I will reply you this time.

You know… perhaps the main handicap that the Artesà machine has is that you must know about hand engraving and also know how to engrave, to be able of “sucking all the juiceâ€￾ from it. The machine can only cut automatically following the traces you made in your design. You, a person, must to do the artwork and then also you must to instruct the machine through the software what and how will be cut.
I found a way to make all this easy in our CAM software so you only have to deal with some color codes and some sliding controls BUT you still must to do the design anyway.

Another important point to consider is that the machine start to be useful if you need to engrave, let’s say, three or more identical pieces. It is intended for a production work that, curiously, is the kind of job that most of artist that I know hate to do. Correct me if I’m wrong, please.

You also may know that large companies do not want to pay high hour rates for a production work so, who will do this kind of boring and bad paid jobs?… Well, the machines will do that. Lasers, rollers, diamond drag machines and may be also, the Artesà.

So, do not worry about the Artesà machine. It was developed to help the hand engravers to do the kind of jobs they do not like to do. Even more, she needs the artist to tell her what to do.

All the best,
Leonardo

To tell the truth I never followed the development of this machine,technology . However after seeing the demo I am impressed and feel that it will improve upon all the other production methods, i.e ,rolling, stamping, laser, etc. and provide a better quality product for the average gun purchaser.
So bravo Leonardo and good luck , selling this product.
And I do not feel that it is a threat to hand work, because that is a much smaller market, and the work being done by hand is a art craft .

Great video! Looking forward to the even better next one.

Good to hear that you're getting the software working so well. As I say every time this comes up, once the Artesà gets into use people will get used to the look of real engraving. That will make them want it. But of course, many people will want their own 'special' engraving and that means more work for hand engravers.

As "scott99" mentioned, lots of the old Machinists were phased out when the NC and CNC machines gained solid foothold, and apprenticeships were phased out, as well. But, there has been a resurgence in apprenticeships, as manufacturers were scrambling to gain knowledgeable staff. They needed these people. One local company has started 18 month apprenticeships, which is a joke. My apprenticeship was four years long, and another year served before Journeyman status was attained. That was finished in 1972. As our small shop couldn't employ 'specialists', we had to know everything on all machines, and on all jobs from start to finish. Hand engravers won't be disappearing anytime soon, as those with some miles on them, especially the jewelers, can do much more than a machine can. Machines have their place, but they won't replace all of us.

Dave, Steve and Ron,

Thank you very much for your comments. I do agree with you!

Have a nice weekend!
Leonardo