Converting Sketchup to Gcode

Quick links to Own Webpages

When making 3D objects on a CNC machine you are faced with another dimension of complexity. 3D designing and machining is still however a lot of fun and great to watch on the CNC machine. It is also becoming very popular with 3D printing machines such as Reprap, MakerBot, Ultimator etc (and here) - which really sounds like a lot of fun.

I may even get one of these heads to fit on my own CNC machine one day.

When making a 3D object I strongly believe that it's still worth taking time to really think about alternative designs and how to simplify the design as multiple 2D designs instead - It's then possible to achieve the same results. This will save you a Hugh amount of time.

I use Google Sketchup, Blender and Cut3D for my 3D projects. I normally alway first do freehand rendering and plasticine models to get a better overview of what I am actually designing.

Here are some useful open source or freeware CAD/CAM/CNC programs that I've found really useful when trying to make the necessary 3D CNC code for my projects. Please leave a message if you have other userful tips.

1. Conversion from Sketchup to G-Code

1. First ensure you've installed the free version of google sketchup (sketchup.google.com) and get familiar with drawing. Then to convert the drawings into g-code do the following:

2. If you don't have a CNC code converter then try this free version of CAMBAM -> here

or read this here for a good ideas for converting Sketchup into Blender, but now you can export .dae files directly from Sketchup

3. Take a look -> here first as there is a proof of concept around this topic and the 'wafer' sketchup to gcode plugin

4. Additional methods are as follows:

a)Download the following Sketchup Ruby scripts

b) Install these ruby plug-ins for conversion of sketchup to DXF/ STL or cambam ->

- http://sites.google.com/site/sketchuptogcode/download/wafer.rb?attredirects=0&d=1

into this directory -> C:\Program Files\Google\Google SketchUp 7\Plugins

- cambam and wafer scripts appear in a new menu called plugins.
- The SKP_to_DXF script appears under the tools menu under 'export'.
- wafer appears

c) Read tips from Gabriel -> here

d)Then use CAMBAM to create the gcode or other program like ACE

Other useful links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-code

sites.google.com/site/sketchuptogcode/

www.buildyourcnc.com

www.phlatforum.com/index.php

www.cadspan.com/tools

www.ltplus.de

www.becausewecan.org/Sketchup_to_CNC_via_OpenSource_Free_CAM_plugin

www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2367

forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=15313

forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=250026

www.public-art-international.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/200/language/en

Conversion from AutoCAD to G-Code:

At college I had access to AutoCAD. I found these ACAD to CNC conversion tools helpful:

http://www.lehrer.uni-karlsruhe.de/~za685/cnc/cnctools.htm

http://home.comcast.net/~cncwoodworker/acad/downloads/AC2GCv039.zip

Google Sketchup and Simulation, Animation and of Linkages, Gears, etc

Google Sketch has a few plug-ins that enable you to simulate linkages.

1. Download the free sketchyphysics plug-in
2. For load .dxf into google you'll need to install version 7.1 and the plug-in that came for v 7.1. It doesn't work in version 8.0.
3. Read all documentation and watch the youtube videos before you start otherwise you'll get really frustrated. Once you've understood is then start using it. It really does work.