CAM / CNC ?

[errror404]

what software do you guys use in combination with sketchUp to do CAM / CNC ?

(I tried doing a search, but the words are too small, to come up with results)

[jbacus]

If you're just starting out, you should give Ponoko a try. I just uploaded a project there last night, and was really impressed with the process they've put in place. They require either an .eps file (for their laser cutters) or .dae file (for 3d printing) that can be generated right out of SketchUp. Ponoko will give you quick success if you just want to get some parts made. Not too expensive, either.

John
.

[tfdesign]

Another one to recommend is ViaCAD Pro which accepts SKP files, and then would export STL files.

BTW John B, adding a STL export option to SketchUp would be very useful for many (especially as an alternative to much more expensive apps such as Solidworks et al).

Tom

[ledisnomad]

errror404, what do you want to do with the CAM/CNC software? Are you actually programming the milling? Checking for surface/volume errors? What's your goal and how much are you going to spend? Personally, I've used MasterCAM as my NC programming software taking models from both Rhino and SketchUp.

[jbacus]

@tfdesign said:

BTW John B, adding a STL export option to SketchUp would be very useful for many (especially as an alternative to much more expensive apps such as Solidworks et al).

There are a few ways to export SKP > STL today (my favorite is CADspan), but I'm seeing different formats being used more commonly now. In the 3D Printing world, COLLADA is getting pretty wide support (both Ponoko and Shapeways support it natively). Our friends at i.Materialise actually accept SKP uploads now

john
.

[Gaieus]

@jbacus said:

Our friends at i.Materialise actually accept SKP uploads now

And this is Rich and Mike with some iMaterialise models in the SU HQ's in Boulder

(Image blurriness is due to my hand shaking after the first night we spent there)

[jbacus]

i.Materialise are really leading the pack right now- they are able to do amazing things with 3D printing. I uploaded a complex jointed model last night (made using our new "Solid" features in SU8), chose a material (stainless steel?!) and got a bid right away (~$35?!).

Only problem is the $20 shipping price to get the print shipped from Belgium to Boulder. I think I'll wait until I have a few more things to print at the same time.

john
.

[Gaieus]

I would have had a bigger "business" for them (a complex with around 30 pieces) but as it turns out, the final price would be out of the budget of the museum I would be making them for. Well, maybe next time.

[Jim]

I'm just a hobbyist with a home-made 3-axis CNC machine based on this one.

I use SketchUp and export the design as a 2d DXF. I use Vectric's Cut2d ($150) to import the DXF, and create the tool-paths. Finally, I use an open-source, DOS CNC program called CNCPro to run the CNC machine.

Here's a few images of tests I ran last summer.

[dedmin]

Jim, that is nice! How is that working? Is the way SketchUP draws curves present an accuracy problem?

[errror404]

Thanks guys... exporting a .stl is not a problem. I use Rhino 3D and SketchUp

@unknownuser said:

errror404, what do you want to do with the CAM/CNC software?

It's for a hobby CNC machine that I'm building in my basement...

I'm modifying a X2 mini mill into a CNC machine

This is what I'm trying to do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4md9aeTCbg

The CAD part I have it figure out... it's the CAM part which I need some help finding cheap solutions.

I would like to mill semi-complex things out of aluminum and copper. 2.5D and 3D

thanks for all the input, and sorry for taking so long to respond

Oh... maybe in the future, I'll add a 4th axis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvG_dmjA-pQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzY-OqckqpI&feature=related

[Jim]

I've heard good things about EMC2 (for Linux.)

Also, PhlatScript can export g-code directly from SketchUp; and I've heard they are working on 3d support.

@dedmin said:

Jim, that is nice! How is that working? Is the way SketchUP draws curves present an accuracy problem?

Not working so well at the moment - I am having trouble with one of the axes going beserk and haven't been able to track down the cause. It's just a process of trial and error to eliminate the possibilities at this point.

SketchUp's segments are visible on larger-radius curves, but for the most part the default number of segments has been fine. My machine isn't designed to be super-accurate.

[dedmin]

Thanks, Jim. There are not so many people to give us first hand experience with CNC and SketchUP. And that is bogging many users that love SketchUP and want to use it for machining.

[Jim]

I've experimented with Shapeways, also. They accept COLLADA files directly from SketchUp; although I had trouble with textures (Colors worked fine, just not image-based textures.) I made a Shapeways uploader using their API, if anyone is interested. I never posted it because it's too rough.

It seems clear to me that 3D printing will soon be on-par with other methods of machining/molding for many manufacturing processes - when the technology improves just a little more. From the press coverage, we appear to be a tipping point for 3D printing. It has become affordable for hobbyists to build 3d printers, and they are able to print copies of some of their own parts for repair or reproduction. Some of the avaialable materials that can be printed may surprise you.

Here are some images of a SketchUp Logo I had made: http://picasaweb.google.com/jim.foltz/Shapeways1?authkey=Gv1sRgCMbns9qi8q6q4QE&feat=directlink

[Jim]

I'm cutting this license plate sized piece today - hope it doesn't go haywire while I'm inside reading the forums...

---

Chevelle Logo.skp

[d12dozr]

Jim, did you use only the full color sandstone for the SU icon?

[Jim]

@d12dozr said:

Jim, did you use only the full color sandstone for the SU icon?

I had it made in 4 pieces using just the "White, Strong and Flexible" material (which at the time happened to be available in the colors I needed.)

I wanted to make the icon as a single piece using the full-color sandstone, but at the time I couldn't figure out how to get Shapeways to accept the textured model. I believe Shapeways has improved their .dae importer since then.

[Jim]

@jim said:

I'm cutting this license plate sized piece today - hope it doesn't go haywire while I'm inside reading the forums...

I jinxed myself - I went out to check and one of the axes had quit on me. Another piece for the scrap pile.

[d12dozr]

@jim said:

I had it made in 4 pieces using just the "White, String and Flexible" material (which at the time happened to be available in the colors I needed.)

I wanted to make the icon as a single piece using the full-color sandstone, but at the time I couldn't figure out how to get Shapeways to accept the textured model. I believe Shapeways has improved their .dae importer since then.

Ah, gotcha...thank you!

[ericschimel]

I have a homebuilt CNC machine that I made a while back. Right now I am only using it to cut 2D parts. My current workflow is to draw the parts in Sketchup, export them to DXF, then bring them into Vectric Cut2D. From there I can setup my toolpaths then I can dump the GCode right into Mach3 to actually run the router and cut my parts.

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

(sketchup.google.com)

That is the design I made, and there is a video of it running in the description.