WatchTech

Hello I have a question. Suppose a watchmaker makes an entire timepiece without the aid of CAD, and CNC. Is it possible to translate the physical prototype into a digital format,so that it may be reproduced by CNC. Kind regards as always Anthony

It's possible with a 3D laser scanner or a picture and some vector conversion software, but it will require a lot of clean up in CAD after the fact.

the dimensions after making the watch then create the coding yourself by entering it manually into the cnc controller. It will be thousands of lines and take days but it can be done. I am not sure that suitably accurate/sensitive 3d scanning is readily av... 

It's available, but it costs an arm and a leg and to have someone else do it for you will be over 5K. I wouldn't suggest writing G-Code yourself, either, unless you are versed in it.

Hello David Walter Thank you for help with my conundrum, I wish there was an easier solution to my problem other than manually entering line after line of coordinates. I have little experience with CAD, but if laser scanning is not accurate enough without... 

Hello andren Thank you for your thoughts, the idea of laser scanning would be a perfect answer. Kind regards Anthony

The watchmaker who made the watch did not do that by conjuring in open space. To be successful he had to make at least cursory drawings with dimensions. On a movement we need tolerances of better than 0.02mm which one can not approximate. Even if the move...