April 2009 - Low Resolution - PAWPRINT PUBLISHING

NEWS
Sign of the times: ArtCAM at CD&M
IT TAKES a certain spirit to give
up a lucrative career and dive
headfirst into a new industry,
but that’s exactly the scenario
that gave birth to one of the top
US sign companies.
Classic Design and Manufacturing
(CD&M) near downtown Pensacola
(previously known as
Classic Sign & Mirror), was opened
22 years ago by Michael Sheehan.
At the time, Mike was a licensed
aircraft technician in Louisiana for
a company that leased helicopters
to the oil industry. However, Mike
wanted to break free from his job
and to take his hobby as a sign
maker to a commercial level.
Nevertheless, Mike’s background
in aviation came in handy
in the “everyday” inner workings of
the business. It allowed CD&M to
appreciate the newest, state-ofthe-art
technology and this includes
ArtCAM, artistic computer
aided design and manufacturing
software (CAD/CAM) from Delcam,
based in Birmingham.
“We were one of the first Art-
CAM customers in the US because I knew straight away that it was so much more than just a design product. It’s the output to whatever you are going
to make from the beginning to end. It’s the whole package.”
Mike began changing the business’s focus towards manufacturing when a hurricane hit, leaving total devastation. However, Mike saved a lot of his own
frequently used shapes, symbols and logos in ArtCAM by using the Relief
& Vector Library, which allowed CD&M to continue producing quality designs
quickly, even in a reduced capacity. “Good comes out of everything,”
Mike said. “With ArtCAM we were able to expand upon the products and
services we offered, as well as it being a big part of rebuilding our facility.”
One project to benefit from ArtCAM was the Varona’s sign. “To create
the flamenco dancer, I first did a quick clay model to work out the flow of
the dress. Using the clay model and the logo provided by the customer
as a visual aid, I modelled the dancer in ArtCAM. Some people start with
a sketch, but I prefer to work with clay. Even if I was carving these with
chisels, I would still make a clay model.” Once happy with the model, Mike
created and exported the necessary toolpaths to machine the piece and
then added the finishing touches by hand.
Backed with 30 years of CAD/ CAM development experience, Mike feels
confident in his ArtCAM investment. Mike said, “Delcam has implemented
many changes that I have suggested over the years and continually brings
out features that people feel are important to improving the software.”
Delcam Plc
Tel 0121 683 1000 ● Email 2009@artcam.com ● www.artcam.com
Panel, Wood & Solid Surface April 2009 Page 7