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stl

SpaceClaim Adds Support for 3D Printing

March 19, 2014 By Barb Schmitz Leave a Comment

It seems nearly hourly a story about 3D printing is hitting the newswires and showing up in blogs, on Twitter or in the mainstream media. The applications of 3D printing are widely varied, from 3D printed chocolates to cars to houses to perfectly fitted prosthetics. It seems that the possibilities for 3D printing are nearly limitless.

My colleague and Design World Managing Editor, Leslie Langnau, has been covering 3D printing from its humble beginnings. In a future issue, she and I will be covering 3D printing, from both the hardware and software sides of the equation.

One of the obstacles for users is how do you use CAD data to print a 3D part, as you can’t simply send the CAD file to the printer. CAD files must be converted to STL files, which in turn can be used by the printer. Problems, however, often rear their ugly heads when any file is converted to another file type.

We’re very interested in hearing how you all are doing this so feel free to comment or send me an email as we prepare on how to tackle this topic.

Facilitating the CAD-3D printing connection

In the latest release of SpaceClaim 2014 SP1, the company is introducing a solution to help with the problems being faced with 3D printing. The STL Prep for 3D Printing module prepares models for 3D printing not only repairs problems, but also modifies STL and CAD files. According to SpaceClaim, this new module also extends SpaceClaim Engineer’s intuitive interface, speed, and ability to work with any major 3D format into the 3D printing world.

The new STL Prep for 3D Printing Module for SpaceClaim 2014 helps repair printing problems and modify STL and CAD files.
The new STL Prep for 3D Printing Module for SpaceClaim 2014 helps repair printing problems and modify STL and CAD files.

SpaceClaim’s director of product management, Justin Hendrickson, was interviewed by Ralph Grabowski, editor of Upfront eZine, on the obstacles faced by users who want to create 3D printed parts using their CAD models.

These problems included:

* STL files have to be watertight (no gaps between surfaces)
* Shapes must be suitable for printing, such as merged assemblies, thickened ribs, and interiors removed
* Models have to be resized to fit the envelop size
* Fixtures added, such as exterior and interior supports
* Model reduced in complexity to reduce the data sent to the printer
* Additional considerations for material, such as shrinkage
* Inability to use 2D drawings or scanned data

To resolve many of these issues, SpaceClaim’s new add-on tools help users prepare CAD models for 3D printing. In today’s multi-CAD design environments, perhaps the most important tool is one that enables users to combine models from a variety of CAD packages. When the source file is a mesh, then the new 3D Print Prep tool cleans it up, removing gaps, holes and intersecting meshes, which makes them watertight.

Hendrickson explains a common scenario in which the software’s modeling tools can help users print something derived from a model, such as a mouth guard derived from a cast of someone’s teeth. The modeling tools can be used to create a generic mouthguard, and then subtract the mesh (of the teeth) from the mouthguard model.

SpaceClaim’s new 3D print prep module also handles these tasks: converts any model to STL or AMF [additive manufacturing format] files; previews the solid to mesh export, with adjustable settings; reduces triangles automatically.

STL Prep for 3D Printing is available as an add-on for SpaceClaim 2014 SP1 for an additional $1,200; Base package for SpaceClaim is $2,445. Find out more about STL Prep for 3D Printing here.

Barb Schmitz

Filed Under: CAD Hardware, Make Parts Fast, News, Rapid Prototyping, SpaceClaim Tagged With: 3D printing, cad, SpaceClaim, stl

VX Corporation releases VX Version 14.4.

June 10, 2010 By Laura Carrabine Leave a Comment

One reason customers buy VX is to streamline design through manufacturing. The new cosmetic external thread feature in Version 14.4 contributes to this objective. External threads contain accurate engineering data for proper detailing.

To support the growth in 3D printing, VX offers some new STL tools. One of them, the STL export, can automatically close an open shape. This can be important for customers working with imported or scan data. With Version 14.4, you will now have the ability to convert meshes to surface patches. This allows access to the full set of modeling commands to fix spikes, twists, inverted triangles, and openings. You will be able to repair STL files without having to purchase an expensive editor.

Customers with a valid update contract can download and install this update from support.vx.com. Customers running older versions of VX (VX 2008 V13.xx and earlier) can purchase an update to V14 from the VX web store or from their local reseller. Go to http://www.vx.com/store.

VX Corporation

www.vx.com

Filed Under: CAD Package Tagged With: 3D printing, soli modeling, stl, VX

Guide to Getting Quality Prototypes & Production Parts

August 4, 2009 By 3DCAD Editor Leave a Comment

RedEye On Demand has a new pdf for download entitled “Guide to Getting Quality Prototypes & Production Parts”

If you’ve ever ordered a prototype or production part online, your part may have looked different than you expected. Why? Because sometimes data is lost when you convert your file from CAD to STL. Since nearly every rapid prototyping and digital manufacturing (end-use parts) organization uses STL files to build parts, it is important to understand what STL is and what settings you can adjust to get the part you really want. Find out how you can get high quality parts every time.

Download the PDF Below:

Filed Under: Rapid Prototyping Tagged With: fdm, stl

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