[Plugin] Milling Tools

derei · 22 Jun 2011, 08:11

You would like the path you see in the preview as actual geometry?

I would like to draw the actual geometry in Sketchup, but the plugin to alter my edges (offset/inset or leave them unaltered, just fillet corners). Because the milling bit can perform on the left, on the right or on the center of the line.

This plugin could be a very powerful one in the future... (offtopic: Now I have some problems with DXF export from SketchUp and importing in CNC software. Some line elements (especially arcs) are mirrored outside of board perimeter). Maybe AutoCAD and SketchUp export DXF in different manners.)

derei · 22 Jun 2011, 08:13

@thomthom said:

This model if yours has revealed several issues with this plugin...

It's my model...actually is something I do now. The curves have a lot of segments because it will be sent to CNC and I have some problems with arcs in DXF export. Polylines are ok, but if there are less segments, it will reflect in manufactured piece.

thomthom · 22 Jun 2011, 08:15

I'm thinking that there might be a need of a tolerance limit. If the angle between two edges are within a range close to co-linear it should skip the corner...

derei · 22 Jun 2011, 08:20

@thomthom said:

I'm thinking that there might be a need of a tolerance limit. If the angle between two edges are within a range close to co-linear it should skip the corner...

Maybe this as a option... because if I set that o CNC, it will make a tangent radius between that two edges in the pieces (radius equal with tool radius). So, if I want that result, to be able to obtain it.

thomthom · 22 Jun 2011, 09:26

Trying to track down the various issues.

One that I see is that the orientation of the face normal matters. When I flipped the face it was behaving more as expected. but there where still various issues.

derei · 22 Jun 2011, 10:19

@thomthom said:

When I flipped the face it was behaving more as expected.

Indeed, I would never think on that. Beside Dog-Bone fillet, you could add option for regular rounding. dog-bone is used mainly on metal sheets, to avoid fracturing on cut out corner. But, if I need to carve a piece from a sheet of material (see my headboard), that dog-bone effect is not good. Instead, what is needed is a offset with filleted corners.

thomthom · 22 Jun 2011, 10:35

The thing is - the normal of the face shouldn't matter. ...but currently it does... it't just another one of the issues.

boilingsnow · 26 Dec 2011, 18:21

Doesnt work on sketchup 8....

thomthom · 26 Dec 2011, 18:38

@boilingsnow said:

Doesnt work on sketchup 8....

Yes it does.

Can you describe "what doesn't work"? Error messages? (if you have the Ruby Console open) Unexpected results? (Post sample model) Any screenshots that explains further?
I can't provide any further assistance without any info to work with.

Dacicusan · 5 Jun 2017, 21:26

Nice. Half the way.

Still missing T-Bones.

Also, a lot of time I need to hide the holes produced by Dog-Bones. Like this one:

robertWan · 24 Jun 2017, 20:01

@dacicusan said:

T-Bones.

Dog-Bones.

http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=323%26amp;t=13563

Robert

EarlyHominid · 16 Aug 2018, 11:11

Hi ThomThom,
I love this plugin. it helps me to assess nesting very efficiently for CNC milling on 2400 x 1200mm sheets of material which is great for quick job quoting.

I would be happy to pay you a fee to add the following two features.

Feature 1. The resultant component definition output of 'generate cut part' is derived from the original component definition.
At present, your output components are, by default, labelled 'part#1', 'part#2', 'part#3' etc no matter the original component name.
Lets say i want to execute 'generate cut part' on a component named 'upright_left_side', the output would be labelled 'upright_left_side_CUT', or something similar.

The reason for this is I have to generate cut parts for many parts that appear to be the same but have very slight differences in arc radii etc. The parts are difficult to distinguish at a glance from one another. The naming process would remove this problem once and for all.

Feature 2.
This relates to transferring 2D shapes/geometry to the output part when using 'generate cut part' function.

When using 'generate cut part', a 2D shape drawn onto any face of a 3D component will carry over and appear on the corresponding output part.
For example, if I draw a bunch of circles in specific positions on a single face of a 3D component. I would like these circles to appear on the output face. At present, in order for this to work, one must cut a cylinder through to the opposing face and only then will it appear as a circle in the output part.

Ideally this would work for any 2D geometry. I just use circles to represent holes to be drilled by the CNC machine for fixings in my material panels. I imagine this would work a little like SU native feature; 'intersect faces with model'.

hope this finds you well and keep up the good work!

robertWan · 16 Aug 2020, 20:51

@thomthom said:

To do:

Validate face before processing.

Per-corner processing

T-Bone fillets

Remember tool settings

And... better work in XY plane.

Robert