Vincenzo Ciaola CAD/CAM

CAD/CAM for one-off parts and small batches

CAM programming for 3-axis and 3+2 machining, CAD models and technical drawings, plus workholding and process planning. Handled personally by Vincenzo Ciaola.

  • Qualified toolmaker
  • 25 years of CNC experience
  • German and Italian (fluent) · English (in writing)
Send an enquiry View work examples
Services

Three clearly defined services

01

CAD models and technical drawings

From dimensioned sketches, existing drawings or agreed geometry data, I create and revise CAD models and technical drawings for mechanical components. Details that matter for manufacturing, and any missing dimensions, are clarified before work starts.

What you receiveTypically, a STEP model and a PDF drawing. Native files, other formats and additional documentation are agreed in advance.
  • Modelling individual mechanical parts
  • Modifying existing models
  • Building simple assemblies
  • Deriving drawings from existing models
  • Revising existing drawings
  • Preparing models and drawings for the agreed manufacturing process

If a sketch is missing dimensions, material or tolerances, I ask. I do not fill in anything without telling you.

02

CAM programming for 3-axis and 3+2 machining

I program milled parts for your machines. Machining strategy, tools, setups and deliverables are matched to your production.

What you receiveThe agreed CAM project and the associated documentation. The NC program for your machine is included once the machine and control are confirmed and a suitable post-processor is available.
  • Pockets, contours and holes
  • Machining sequences for mechanical milled parts
  • Multi-sided machining in several setups or as 3+2 indexed machining
  • Tool selection and tool lists
  • Setup planning
  • Revising existing machining operations
  • Setup and fixturing sheets

Each order specifies how the toolpaths and posted NC program are checked and who proves out the program on the machine.

03

Workholding and fixtures

I develop workholding concepts and manufacturable models for fixtures, soft jaws, part holders and stops. I take into account part geometry, tool access and the conditions on your shop floor.

What you receiveA concept agreed with you, the CAD model and the required detail or assembly drawings.
  • Soft jaws
  • Part holders and nests
  • Stops and locators
  • Simple machining fixtures
  • Workholding concepts for agreed machining steps

Questions I know from years on the shop floor: How does the part sit? How is it located? Where does the tool need to reach? Which faces are machined in which setup?

Additional services

  • Reverse engineering of mechanical parts where adequate measurement and geometry data is available
  • Process plans and machining sequences
  • Support with manufacturing cost estimates, with all assumptions clearly stated
  • CNC program modifications and simple turning programs, once the control and documentation are confirmed

Getting started

Three well-defined jobs that are easy to hand over:

JobYou provideYou receive
Model and draw a single partDimensioned sketch or suitable existing documentsSTEP model and PDF drawing
Program a milled partGeometry, drawing and confirmed manufacturing requirementsCAM project and setup sheets; NC program once the machine and control are confirmed and a suitable post-processor is available
Develop a workholding solutionPart data and setup detailsConcept, CAD model and agreed drawings

You receive a quotation once I have reviewed your documents.

The quotation states the scope, file formats, delivery date and number of revision rounds.

Work examples

Work examples

Here I show how I approach a job: starting point, task, approach and the documents produced. The examples are currently being prepared.

From sketch to model

A mechanical bracket or adapter plate: initial sketch, finished CAD model, excerpt of the technical drawing and the files delivered.

Milled part with toolpaths

A part with pockets, contours and holes: model, toolpaths from the CAM simulation, machining sequence and setup sheet.

Workholding solution

Soft jaws or a simple fixture: part in the fixture, datums and location, tool access and the corresponding drawing.

Working together

How a job works

  1. Enquiry

    You briefly describe the task and send what you have: sketch, drawing, model.

  2. Clarification

    I review the documents and ask about anything missing. You then receive a quotation with scope, formats and delivery date.

  3. Execution

    I carry out the work. Any open questions are clarified with you, not assumed.

  4. Delivery

    You receive the agreed files and documents. Revisions within the agreed scope are included.

About

Your contact

I am Vincenzo Ciaola, a qualified toolmaker with 25 years of experience in CNC machining. My background covers milling and turning, workholding and fixtures, and production and process planning.

For many years I worked at a mechanical engineering company in Mannheim, Germany, most recently as a foreman responsible for production planning and quotations. I moved to Sicily in 2019 and now work as a freelancer.

Today I support companies with clearly defined CAD/CAM tasks. We work together remotely. In German or Italian, we can also talk by phone by appointment; in English, all coordination is in writing.

  • Qualified toolmaker
  • CNC milling and CNC turning
  • CAM programming (3-axis and 3+2)
  • Production and process planning, cost estimation
  • Languages: German and Italian (fluent) · English (in writing)
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What documents do you need for an enquiry?

To start, a short description of what is available is enough: sketch, drawing or 3D model. For CAM jobs, details of the machine and control also help. Material, stock, tools, workholding and workpiece zero are clarified afterwards.

Which file formats do you deliver?

The standard is STEP models and PDF drawings. Other formats and native files are agreed in the quotation.

Do you program simultaneous 5-axis machining?

No. I program 3-axis machining and 3+2 indexed machining. Simultaneous 5-axis machining is not part of my services.

Will I receive a ready-to-run NC program for my machine?

Yes, once the machine and control are confirmed and a suitable post-processor is available. Each order specifies how the program is checked and proved out on the machine.

Do you also manufacture parts?

No. I deliver models, drawings, CAM projects and documentation. Manufacturing stays with you or your supplier.

How much does a job cost?

That depends on the part and the scope. You receive a quotation after I have reviewed your documents, stating scope, file formats, delivery date and revision rounds.

Do you also work on site?

I work remotely. On-site visits are the exception and are arranged separately.

How do you handle my drawings and data?

I use your documents only for your enquiry and your order and do not share them with third parties.

Contact

Send an enquiry

Send me an email with a short description of the task. I will reply with questions or a quotation.

Email info@ciaola.tech

In English, I handle all coordination in writing. Phone calls are possible in German and Italian by appointment.

Useful to include in your email:

  • Name and company
  • Service required: CAD, CAM or workholding
  • Short description of the task
  • Available documents, e.g. sketch, PDF drawing or STEP file
  • For CAM: machine and control
  • Required delivery date, if any

AI assistants and automation for the workshop and office

Alongside CAD/CAM, I set up AI assistants and automated workflows on a small scale, for example to pre-sort incoming enquiries. This is a new service, and I am currently taking on only a few pilot clients. If you are interested, please get in touch via the contact section.