Robotics and 3D printing continue to converge on many different levels. Whether it is the robotic movements of 3D printers themselves, or the creation of better robotics through the use of 3D printing for complete customization, the technologies definitely have a magnificent future together. We have seen numerous robots created through the use of 3D printing, which has allowed for their total customization, while at the same time saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars in machine and injection molding costs.

take a glance to Kito Raupp for some creative methods! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT5r3AQZBnw

Hi: Could you upload an image to Sketchucation instead of that link? It is requiring a login.

Thanks pcmoor

Hey jjenks2006 Sorry I just saw your question. You probably have solved the problem by now. Most of my parts I send to my Thermwood control nesting on the machine have multiple layers extending up into the z axis simply because it allows me to side view all the parts and quick administer the bulk layer naming by window selecting. As bmcintosh mentioned each part has it's outer edge as "outline z0p471" In Sketchup, as long as the camera is on parallel projection and the top view is selected everything exported as a 3d file type dxf out of sketchUp pro comes up as normal cut path individually nestable parts. An outline layer on a 3d dxf part should only be the bottom (or top) face outer edges viewable from top view (blue axis on). I'll have to take a look at that Mosaic Sketchup interface program. You can send a 61.998 by 120.998 dxf to the machine and have it placed on a 62" by 121" table and material so long as the long side of the form is along the x axis and the collar and part clearances are at 0.001. Being able to edit all the part collar and part spacing clearances on the control nesting software on the machine I find easier. This is due to cut problems that can arise on a large job where one warped material/bad drawing can crop up. Being able to quickly identify the bad parts that need re-cut or redrawn and re-nested as additions to the remainder of the 20 sheet job is quite easy with this method. Often on a 10-30 sheet job 3-4 parts need recut/redrawn by the time I reach sheet 7. Que-ing them up for the next sheet is easy so long as 1. you know what you cut (see the printout option on control nesting for a running list of all the parts cut on each material sheet) 2. total of what you want (already listed on the file import of dxf screen). 3. what and how many parts need re-cut. Any re-drawing activity and control nesting them can be done outside of the super controller's activities running the g-code. Going back to cad every time will be tough as it requires a separate inventory scenario.

I'll post some cut tests shortly, but here is the lovely curve: [image: RnQR_bezier160.JPG]

I just updated this file to include all miter angle cuts between 30 degrees and 166 degrees. The new link is below: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=4984de825c7932eb73ac8f193878e4bc&prevstart=0 Description of downloadable file: This model contains multiple layer names and lines representing the cut path of a 3/8" ball end mill along the edge of a part of thickness 0.499 inches. It allows carpentry joints at all angles between 30 and 166 (as measured through the acute angle of the matching faces) An example of the application is in the file and shows how to use the pre-grouped angle patterns. The angle patterns show their z azis placement. Steps: 1 measure part angle, 2 select angle, 3 move and place as shown in example, 4 stretch the grouped miter angle pattern so it goes slightly ( 1/2" diameter of 3/8" bit) of part. The layer name convention is directly compatible with Thermwood Control Nesting Software driven machines with 0.375 being end mill and 0.374 being ball end mill in tool setup. The angle patterns are grouped and inter-related through the sketchup component feature (change one line name, and all other cut paths for all other angles auto-update) There is an additional 3/8" end mill clean up pass for steep angle miters greater than 102 degrees. The drawing of the ball end mill and end mill bit was done by others (as noted). [image: FIrc_pic.JPG]