Computers in Knife design

Computers are part of everyday life in the manufacturing industry nowadays. With every company having a website, it is hard not to be involved in the use of a computer in a work situation somewhere down the line. Orders can be sent via email to companies. So it is no surprise that in the cutlery industry, computers are being used in every day situations to design specific pieces of cutlery. Many companies have installed cat 5 cable to aid the speed of their computer network within the workplace.

Computer software programmes are used to design all sorts of different things, advertisements for magazines, comic strips in magazines, interior designers use programmes to create rooms, so you can see exactly how the room should look in reality. This is great cause if you don’t like the design of something in particular then you can change it before it is even started. Computers are also used in the design of cutlery, such as knives (Messer). You can use the computer to create what you expect your finished tool to look like, and you again, are in the advantageous position of being able to alter the product before it goes to be made for real.

You can buy programs which help the product you are creating benefit from unique total modelling, and apply complex 3D textures directly onto the tools which you are designing. Although complex they are simple to crease. The programmes allow for shrinkage and use this to compensate when going through the firing process.

The software allows you to render your scenes realistic, in order that you can test the visual appeal of your product. It allows you to experiment, to try out various designs so that you can choose the most appealing. The 3D image on screen replicates what the finished product would look like in real life, you can twist and turn the image on the screen, so you are completely satisfied with the image you have. Alterations can be made if necessary.

The software also allows for you to engrave your knife or implement at the end of the programme, for instance you could engrave the year, or a name into the tool, before setting the programme to create the design on screen.

You can also purchase all of the materials you need from the world wide web, and liaise with potential consumers of your products. Your customers will get a look at the product before it is complete, so that any order can be placed prior to the knives, or tools being finished. It is a good way of keeping any potential client appeased until the product is complete.

It is not just knives and cutlery for which computers are used in this way, many kitchen manufacturers use these computer software programmes, to give customers an idea of what their new kitchen in their home would look like, prior to order. This way the kitchen designer can give the customer two to three choices of kitchen, the customer can then add in the appliances, and again if they want to change anything before ordering they can. The customer usually received a colour design of their kitchen complete with a set table, with knives, forks, spoons, salt and pepper mills (Pfeffermühle) on the table. It gives the customer more confidence with company, instead of half knowing what they are going to do, the customer fully knows what to expect