FROGBlog - 3D Foam Carving Central

We recently posted another article that shares a few ideas about finding the right CNC equipment supplier. The equipment you purchase to build out your foam carving production processes is important, but so is the supplier you're buying it from. Make sure you consider both.

HOW TO CHOOSE A CNC MACHINE SUPPLIER FOR 3D FOAM CARVING
When it comes to choosing CNC equipment for 3D foam carving, many purchasers tend to focus only on the equipment itself. Given that most CNC suppliers’ websites are filled with pages of technical specifications and catalogs full of equipment, you could be excused for getting preoccupied. While the quality and capabilities of the equipment are important considerations, it’s important that you put just as much scrutiny on the suppliers themselves. Suppliers have varying levels of experience, expertise and skill - choose the wrong one and you probably won’t get the support you need to get the most out of your equipment. That’s why a search for the right kind of CNC foam carving machine should go hand in hand with a search for the right kind of supplier. What exactly should you be looking for? While your specific needs will determine some of your priorities, here are a few supplier qualities that should be near the top of your list.

1. Relevant expertise
Let’s assume you’ve found a few suppliers that know what they’re talking about when it comes to their CNC equipment. A good start – but don’t stop there. Solid equipment is obviously critical, but equipment alone will not take you to a great end product if it’s not part of an effective overall production process. You need a supplier that understands exactly how their equipment fits into the process for your specific application. We’re not just talking about a supplier that lists 100 possible applications of their equipment, but one that knows your foam carving application inside and out, knows how their equipment fits into the bigger production picture and knows how it can specifically improve your business. The supplier that understands exactly what you need to do to jumpstart your products and processes will be much more valuable than the supplier that just knows the equipment.

2. Relevant experience
Becoming a true expert in something requires actually having done it – over and over again. It’s the getting out and doing it that differentiates the professional from the generalist. This is especially true for CNC foam cutting equipment. A supplier that knows how their equipment can improve your products, processes and business because they’ve done it for themselves is going to be significantly more valuable to you than someone that has only been a bystander. Find a supplier that has a proven track record and experience doing the things that you want to do so they can really help you when push comes to shove. This is especially true in the world of foam cutting and carving, as it’s a niche that many CNC suppliers simply don’t have experience with.

3. Training
In the world of CNC equipment, ‘training’ seems to have different meanings for different suppliers. For some, training is as simple as showing you how to turn on the machine and get it running. This might be an acceptable option for those who already have a good deal of expertise, but for others it’s going to create serious limitations for maximizing the equipment’s capabilities. Other suppliers go well beyond a basic level of training to provide instruction not only in how to run the equipment, but also in how to take projects from start to finish and how to incorporate 3D foam carving equipment into a successful business. Generally speaking, these are the suppliers that are very familiar with foam cutting and carving and that don’t dabble in a bit of everything. Find a supplier that has the knowledge required to provide the kind of training you need for your application and for your level of expertise. Take the time to understand exactly what their training includes and find a supplier that has the same definition of training that you do.

4. Support
Regardless of the kind of product, you’ve probably run into companies that are very attentive during the sales process, but that quickly disappear once you’ve purchased. When it comes to CNC equipment, this really is the kiss of death, as it translates into costly downtime and production slowdowns. There are countless horror stories of purchasers who haven’t been able to get their problems solved due to lack of support or the inability of resellers to provide the required expertise. It’s critical that you find a supplier with a proven track record for effective after-sales support. This means a company with a team of qualified, experienced, in-house technical representatives that will be able to help whenever there’s a need, whether it’s troubleshooting equipment problems or helping you with a tricky project.

What next?
Knowing what to look for is the first step, but figuring out what a supplier is all about takes a bit of work. While taking a look at a website is a good start, it’s never a good idea to take the information on the web at face value. Call your shortlist to discuss exactly what you’re looking at doing and how they can help you. Ask questions. Get into the details. Request references from your industry. Visit their facility. By moving beyond the ins and outs of the equipment, you’ll be able to figure out pretty quickly who is speaking your language and who will really be able to help your business. You’ll have to look a bit closer to find these suppliers, but they’re out there, and tracking them down will put you in a much better position to get full value out of your new CNC equipment. Read more

Sissa in Peru has been creating some spectacular 3D foam carving projects throughout South America. One of their recent signage projects pictured here is a unique take on the standard billboard - a surefire way to attract motorists' attention. Let's hope they save a little bit of attention for the road. Well played Sissa!
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Peter Woytuk's sculptural work is known around the world - especially his large scale pieces. We got to know Peter through his involvement with a foundry in Thailand, where FROG3D® was used to create huge scuptural enlargements. His work and background are profiled in this article discussing the opening of his most recent show.

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We often speak to businesses that see the potential of automated foam carving, but that are hesitant to take the plunge due to a lack of familiarity with the related processes and equipment. Our latest client case study is a perfect illustration of why there's no reason to be afraid.

NancyScans, a successful digital imaging company, had no experience in the 3D world but knew it was where they wanted to be.  They now have 3D production capabilities that are taking their business in new creative directions. Read their story here. Consider it a free counselling session for those with a fear of automated foam carving. It's not so scary after all.  Read more

We wrote an article for another site that provides some basic tips on purchasing CNC equipment for foam carving. Nothing groundbreaking, but some good common sense tips for making sure you get the equipment you need, so here’s a shorter version of the article. The advice probably applies to any kind of purchase, but hey, who are we to judge?

PURCHASING CNC FOAM CARVING EQUIPMENT - 5 COMMON MISTAKES
A business that decides to purchase or upgrade their CNC equipment is faced with the daunting task of navigating through the array of equipment the market offers – everything from do-it-yourself kits to million dollar set-ups. There are ways to protect yourself and end up with the solution that meets your needs and budget. Being aware of some of the biggest purchasing pitfalls is a good start. Here are some of the most common mistakes than can come back to haunt you.

1. Going in without a plan
Whether you’re buying a new house, choosing a new car or just going to the mall, going in without a plan is the first step to an impulse purchase. It’s no different with CNC equipment. In order to evaluate the equipment effectively, you need to have a well thought out business plan before you start looking. Don’t let the capabilities of the equipment determine your business plan. It’s your plan that’s going to drive your business forward; as it’s a plan that will give you focus. Build one first.

2. Going overboard
You’re excited about the possibilities. You can’t wait to get started. You like shiny things. Fair enough – but when you’re looking for equipment it’s important not to get carried away. That speaking robot looks like it can do everything from revolutionizing your production processes to serving drinks, but is it really necessary for your application? If you’re not crystal clear on your requirements, going down the overkill path becomes much more of a possibility. Start with a plan and get the equipment that fits. You do have plan, right?

3. Selling yourself short
Selling yourself short can be just as harmful as going overboard. You’ll find hobbyists telling you that you can build everything you need on your own for a fraction of the cost, but for those looking at commercial applications, it’s critical that you have a solution that’s proven and reliable. Finding the right balance between too much equipment and too little equipment can be tricky, but if you have a clear idea of what you want to create and where you see your business heading, it becomes a much easier task. Are you sensing a theme here?

4. Focusing on the cheapest price
We all know the dangers of going with the cheapest product. Whatever kind of purchase we’re talking about, a product is cheap for a reason. This isn’t to say that the cheapest solution couldn’t possibly be the right one, but choosing equipment strictly based on the price tag is a recipe for disaster. Be sure to compare the equipment you’re considering and get an understanding of why different pieces of equipment cost different amounts. Price is certainly something that will come into the purchase decision, but it should only enter the discussion after you’re comfortable that you’ve found equipment that meets your needs.

5. Not considering the supplier
Don’t make the mistake of leaving the quality of the supplier out of the equation. Do they know your application and industry? Do they specialize in foam carving, or is it one of the many industries they ‘specialize’ in? Do they have the knowledge, staff and track record for providing strong after-sales support? Given that many production processes also require numerous pieces of equipment, you also need to consider how well each piece of equipment can be integrated. Be sure that each piece of equipment you’re looking at can work together - or find a supplier that understands the process from start to finish, regardless of what equipment is involved.

What next?
If the point hasn’t been driven home enough…go in with a plan. This is the absolute best way to avoid the pitfalls. When you know what you need and why, you’ll be able to evaluate equipment based on your specific needs, instead of factors that may ultimately have no relevance to your business. Without a clear plan, you simply have no context for making a decision, which is a sure fire way to getting led down the wrong path. If you fail to plan, plan to fail.
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Whether the end product is milled using foam or some other material, there are some great artists out there doing design work specifically for the CNC manufacturing industry. While advances in CNC technology and the related software are letting many companies justify in-house designers, sometimes it's best to leave it to the experts. Depending on the nature of the design work, you should be able to find a digital artist who can create you a custom design that's ready to be milled on CNC equipment. You just kick up your heels and relax.

If it's relief models you need, check out some of Todd Bailey's work over at 4m3D Creative Design. His specialty is 3D bas-relief models and he's doing some great work.

www.4m3D.com

We took a 4 inch Iron Man 'action figure' (don't call it a doll), scanned it with our 3D laser scanner and then passed it along to our CNC foam router to create a life-sized enlargement.  The result is a perfect 6 foot replication of the figure, ready for hard coating and painting. Read more

DragonXtreme (Florida, USA) continues to impress with their intricate architectural work. After digitally designing their projects, DragonXtreme creates detailed mold plugs using CNC foam carving equipment (a recent project is pictured below). Using these molds, they create some unbelievable projects in cast stone and a range of other materials. Their end products, whether they are new designs or reproductions, rival anything on the market. They not only match the quality of projects created with conventional methods, but they're created with processes that are much more efficient and flexible. DragonXtreme's work is a great example of how foam carving can improve mold making processes.  Read more

Along with a new blog (the one you're reading right now), we've also updated our website (www.3dcutting.com). We've tried to make the navigation more straightforward so it's easier to learn about what the FROG3D® foam carving system is all about. Check out the new photo galleries that highlight some of the work our clients have created with the help of FROG3D® - we'll be adding to these on an ongoing basis. I'd mention checking out the new blog, but it would seem you've already found it. Read more

At Streamline, it’s no secret that we’re big fans of artistic foam carving.  Given that our product line is all about automating 3D foam carving and cutting production processes, this shouldn’t be much of a surprise.  But we’ve created FROGBlog as a place to share our musings on all things foam carving – whether it’s a new application, a cool project, an industry development, a new technology or a related ‘how-to’.  It’s kind of a glimpse into what’s going on in our collective heads, and it’s for those who share our passion for the art, technology and people behind foam carving. Read more