SketchUp 3D to GCode plugin

Since the CNC build is very slow due to the lack of time to do any real iron working I've turned into an old quest that was still pending.

A year or so ago I started experimenting with the SketchUp API to have some fun and learn something new.
I've never programmed with Ruby before but my C and C# experience made it pretty easy to learn it in no time.
Then I came to an idea. Make a plugin to convert a SketchUp model directly to GCode.
I debated for a couple of months on the API classes to try to see how I would pull this off. Other things came and I put this project aside.
Early this week I decided to pick this up again. After some intense brainstorming to my self I came with an idea that seemed to work. And it did but the process do scan the model involved boolean operations on SketchUp solids (a hole bunch of them actually) and that is a performance killer.
When I increased resolution SketchUp would stall.

NOOOOO... I found a solution and it was too slow. But then the math concepts I learn in high school came to my head and BAZINGA...

Yeah baby...
What I'm showing here are the results of my SketchUp to GCode converter plugin.

This is in a pre-alpha stage right now, so I'm not going to go in to much detail about this, but I can tell you that it works... :-D

Here are a couple of examples (SketchUp model vs NCPlot- this displays the GCode)

SketchUp model	GCode plot
Example 1	Generated GCode - Dual pass mode
Example 2	Generated GCode - Single pass mode

With some small adaptations this can be used to produce plastic printing GCode too.
I'm developing some more features on this.

Stay tuned...

Building a CNC - Paint job

Last couple of days I've been sanding and painting the frame and the X-axis to delay corrosion (yes delay...not stop...I don't have the means to do it, but this should suffice since this is going to be indoors). This is the handicap of using regular steel instead of stainless steel for the structure. The good thing is that I will do my hole CNC structure for 40€ worth of steel instead 120€ (or a lot more) in stainless steel.

The painting is quite a tedious task but it's got to be done and that's it.

Here are a couple of shots of the painted pieces.
Sorry for the quality of the pictures but I had almost no day light and my phone does not come with flash.

CNC frame box

CNC X-Axis

Cya...

Building a CNC - Y-Axis - part 1

Has I said yesterday today I started building the second arm for my new CNC.

I pre fabricated most of the parts yesterday. So today was about making the remaining parts and assemble them all.

CNC Y-axis arm (pre-fabrication stage)

CNC Y-axis assembled arm (almost completed)

I'm almost finished on this one. I kind of gained some speed because this was almost a question of reproducing a similar X-axis arm with some small changes.

I also painted the X-axis that is completed (forgot to take pictures of that one but I'll show that one tomorrow).

This is going smooth so far but I'll start at work again tomorrow so I'll be back to 20-30 min. construction frames in my lunch time. :-(

Let's see how it rolls from here.

Building a CNC - X-Axis - part 3

Okay.

After a couple of well deserved vacations I'm burning my last two holidays to try to advance has much has I can on my brand new CNC.

Today I got to pre mount the ball bearing thread and motor so I could weld the supports for the thread blocks.
I all fits very nicelly.
Here is a picture.

Pre aligned transmition thread and stepper motor

This one is almost ready for the paint job to avoid runsting.
I also fabricated almost all the necessary peaces for the other arm so I thing tomorrow I can complete the second arm as well.

Lets see how tomorrow goes.

Building a CNC - X-Axis - part 2

As promised here is the reference side of the axis full mount.
Like I said in my early post the dimensions of my linear guide forced me to make a small change  to be able to properly clamp the linear guide bearing to the rail.
Here is a couple of self explanatory photos.

Clamp tube

Axis fixed side linear guide block fully mounted

Has you can see, the this forms a claw like bearing system that holds the axis in place.
Here are also a couple of shots of the arm in position.

Fixed linear guide mounted in the rail

Fixed linear guide mounted in the rail (down side)

This linear rail slides very well. Since the steel bar (ruler) that acts like the linear rail guide has a orange peel kind surface it's not as smooth has I would like but I believe it will become smoother in time.

Now to the other side of this axis. This will be quite easy and fast. That side will have a much simpler kind of bearing system to allow some level of structural distortion. I count on having it done tomorrow.

Hurray :-) ...

Building a CNC - X-Axis - part 1

So here are a couple a shots for the latest developments of my newest CNC machine.
I'm almost finishing the linear rail guide for one of the arms.
Like always some adjustments are needed.

Axis arm with linear guide supports welded

For example the rail guide bar is 8mm thick. That did not allowed me to put the spacers in the threaded rods that hold the bearings. After some evaluation I will need to redo one of the tubes that holds the bearing with an offset so it can clamp to the rail guide, and hold the arm in place (this is the side that locks the arm in the axis the other will be free to avoid misalignment errors).
I'll explain it better in my next post with the finished arm. For now this just shows a general aspect of the CNC horizontal axis arm.

Linear guide partial mount and testing

Expect to finish this arm soon.
Cya...

Building a CNC - Structure frame

So I've started building the new CNC with some steel tubing.
My welding technics are far from perfect but I think I can get the job done.
Here are a couple of shots from the structure. I have a few welding points to make to reinforce the structure but it's quite solid has it is. I can stand on it and it hold good.

So far I've made the cage frame and I'm starting to build one of the arms. I still have a lot to go before this monster starts moving.

Progress is slow but it is rolling...