Robust Tru-Arc tool...

[Doug Rasmussen]

$800K??? Is that right?

Google on terms like "price of high end 5 axis milling machine". Between $500K to $1M is not out of line.

We're not talking about machines from Woodcraft.

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

I believe my first Dental Crown over 20 years ago was made on a four axis machine. The Dentist invited me to watch it being made

The metal arts and jewelry program at my university had a small 5 axis machine for jewelry making, actually more for wax models for investment casting. It was capable of light metal cutting. I got to know the teaching assistant who had gotten the machine on semi-permanent loan provided it was being used. He invited me to play with the machine. Then the TA went off to get his PHD. The older tradition based faculty were afraid of CNC so the manufacturer took it back. That was unfortunate, worse yet the university shut down the whole arts program for budget reasons.

I know of two companies in Seattle now that use CNC's to produce custom jewelry. Just like what CNC is doing for custom woodturning.