CNC Routing
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I am sure this is not a new topic but has anyone tried getting a cnc router to "interpret" their fabulous SU designs into reality. If anyone can offer a simple tanslation from Skp. to Alphacam useable info I would be most gratefull
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yea i use it all the time.
have a look at my posts in the gallery, they were all routed on a cnc from a sketchup model.
my workflow is generally as follows:
lay the components out flat export to dxf -> into qcad for cleanup (for 2d stuff) -> into cam software.
tom
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I use my Sketchup models as well for my CNC machine. I use Cut2D, I just export my models from Sketchup to DXF, and import them to Cut2D, setup my toolpaths, then send it over to Mach 3, and I am making dust!
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These guys have created a 2d foam cutter based on SketchUp and a dremel.
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@mut said:
yea i use it all the time.
have a look at my posts in the gallery, they were all routed on a cnc from a sketchup model.
my workflow is generally as follows:
lay the components out flat export to dxf -> into qcad for cleanup (for 2d stuff) -> into cam software.
tom
Thanks Tom I also use this process except that i clean up in Autocad then into CAM. My problem with it is that when one creates the model in the first place it is in 3 dimensions. When we convert back to 2d we discard a third of the information that the router requires ie. depth. Which has to then be reprogrammed, this I have found to be incredibly time consuming and also leads to errors. The solution I hope to find is an export format that keeps all the 3d information.
I have thus far had limited success exporting STL files but not to the point where I dont end up back at 2D drawings.
Stephen
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You might want to have a look at this: http://www.cadspan.com/tools if you havent already.
I think a lot of the problems associated with exporting .stl files are due to issues with the mesh, and that plugin is meant to help with cleaning up the mesh.
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It all depends what you are machining, if you look in the gallery at 2 of my posts (car audio one and newel cap)
they were both done by exporting STL, and then i used a bullnose cutter to machine it, but if you are machining items which are easily viewed in 2d (Stair stringers/treads etc for me) then its way faster to just apply a tool path, and give it a depth.
That being said, a lot of what i do is similar over and over again, so after a while you stop making errors etc, maybe if i was doing lots of different things i would have a different outlook.
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Thanks Remus
Have downloaded free trial and give it a go. In principle I think it should work as a 3axis router works in much the same way that as 3d printing machine does (or so I imagine). I will give feedback once I have tried it
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I do exactly as Mut mentioned and it works every time for me, however I did have some issues in the first couple fo times I did it.
Graham
CNC wood routing
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