Blacksmithing in 2023' 3-D

  As an entrepreneur, I always thought that we should take blacksmithing into the 21st C. So, I wrote the SolidWorks corporation for a business scholarship. After looking over my base product line and selling ratio they called me in August 2023' from GoPro Engineering only to inform me that I did not qualify for one. Never-the-less, Kristi on the other end of the line was going to give me a one-year suite of 3-D software at the premium level ($7,000) with no strings attached. Then they threw in $500 of training modules and free online help for one year. They also gave me free cloud access to design my projects anywhere in the world, and a business software called 3DExperience with several experimental Apts to help push the boundaries of my craft and business.  

  What the heck is a smith going to do with 3-D software you ask? Tool design for one thing (see illustrations below) of some jigs and fixtures that I use in my shop. Each design can be printed out in a drawing format complete with Bill of Materials, welding symbols and real-world dimensions. The spoon below can not only be created, formed, but also switched out for different handle materials and pushing the bends of Finite Elemental analysis for design flaws. I can free form photos into designs that I then share on the web for design reviews and create users group meetings. 

   This is the future for my shop, The Rustic Anvil Forge LLC, come walk with me in this new venture and meeting me in the Clouds for design reviews and project collaboration. I hope you become as enthused about the future of blacksmithing as I am.