Hobby-CNC Workflow - SKETCHUP + CAMBAM + MACH3

**WandrinAndy** · 12-12-2012

It's essential for me as a hobbyist to contain costs, yet I would also like to use software that enjoys a reasonable level of support by being in fairly common use. So please point me back to sanity with alternative ideas as necessary...

These are my current thoughts on the cheap-ish Hobby-CNC workflow software I intend using as a starting point :

1. Grey-Matter... can only be used when intergalactic, atmospheric, and biological conditions are favourable.

2. CAD - SKETCHUP will be used for design to capture / draw / dimension / visualise / revise, and save the drawing as filetype SKP. Although SKETCHUP is geared more towards architecture than towards solid mechanics, I'm now pretty proficient in using the FREE version of Sketchup, and feel it will suffice for my 2.5D machining needs into the foreseeable future.

3. A plugin for SKP will be used to export drawings as filetype DXF or STL or CB. I have downloaded and briefly tested the plugin from Convert Sketchup SKP files to DXF or STL | guitar-list and have also downloaded but not yet tested CamBamExport-mm.rb from Sketchup to CamBam Plugin - CerebralMeltdown.com.

4. CAM - CAMBAM will be used primarily for creating tool paths as gcode. I will buy CamBam PLUS for around £100, although there is also a free trial of the most recent version with limited lines of gcode, and also a totally free and unlimited but OLD version.

5. MACH3 which will process the gcode. Should cost of the order of £100.

6. A motion-control-device such as ESS Ethernet-Smooth-Stepper.

Does the above seem sane?

**JAZZCNC** · 12-12-2012

If you want to contain costs then No6 isn't required and just use the parallel port.

Motion control card is nice to have for a few reasons but not required so long has your PC has a decent parallel port.

**wilfy** · 12-12-2012

i'm so glad to see there are plug-ins to convert sketchup to dxf as i wasnt aware this was possible... if this is a cost effective solution then i may just be following your lead on this to get the machine up and running and in future may look to other avenues once i prove the machine

**HankMcSpank** · 12-12-2012

The process looks fine (I use Cambam & think it's excellent)

I started with Mach3, but was attracted to CNC-USB (which would condense your 5 & 6) & I'm very happy that I switched....but there's a lot to be said for "safety in numbers" which is why Mach3 wins the day for so many.

**Jonathan** · 12-12-2012

If you want to contain costs then 4,5,6 aren't required:

4) In 2) you only mention needing 2.5D, in which case you can just use the free version of cambam since it does that just fine.
5) Try LinuxCNC, contrary to popular belief it's not difficult to set up and is completely free with plenty of features. If you have problems with either Mach3 or LinuxCNC, be it in general use of just setting up, you will easily get help on this forum. Once you've tried both programs decide weather it's worth about £100 for the Mach3 licence.
6) See 5).

**wilfy** · 12-12-2012

i presume all the CAM programs are very helpful and easy to get you going in zeroing the machine and setting the limits ect?

**kingcreaky** · 12-12-2012

really pleased ive read this post. its cleared lots of questions ive needed answering but didnt know how to ask the questions...

**JAZZCNC** · 12-12-2012

Originally Posted by Jonathan

5) Try LinuxCNC, contrary to popular belief it's not difficult to set up and is completely free with plenty of features. If you have problems with either Mach3 or LinuxCNC, be it in general use of just setting up, you will easily get help on this forum. Once you've tried both programs decide weather it's worth about £100 for the Mach3 licence.

Yep then with the 6months of your life wasted it will have give you time to save up for Mach.!! . . . And Before you say it Numb nuts . . . This is not bias based purely on bias I've seen hundreds of people either start or jump to LinuxCnc or EMC has it used to be known only to return to Mach because they couldn't get on with it.!!

Simple fact is Mach3 is THE BEST control for New folks has it's easy to use out the box(Very soon to get much much better with V4.!!) and there's 1000's of very willing NONE GEEK users willing to sort any issues.!! And that includes the program designers.!!

USB -Cnc is an ok option and eliminates any PP issue's but not keen on the software.!!

**Musht** · 12-12-2012

Sketchucam is also worth a look:

SketchUcam Home - sketchucam the sketchup cam solution

SketchUcam Control Horn Tutorial_Video 2.wmv - YouTube

**Iwant1** · 12-12-2012

Also grateful to Andy for starting this thread, I'm sure it helps lots of guys new to cnc. One area where I need some clarification is on no.6

Originally Posted by WandrinAndy

6. A motion-control-device such as ESS Ethernet-Smooth-Stepper.

From what I've read people having issues with parallel ports resort to getting smooth steppers. What confuses me is, are these a direct replacement to a cheapy BOB, or an addition to it. Also the pdmx 126 which alot of people here are using, is a BOB with smooth stepper plugged in. Can't we just use the smooth stepper? Then there usb SS and ethernet SS, which is better and why is ethernet more expensive?

If You recommend that for first time users like myself, a normal cheap BOB will do the job, is there a way to test is the PP on my pc is 3.3v or 5v, as I read this is where problems arise with PP's.

Thanks