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The Rapid Prototyping process uses .stl also known as Stereolithography files to build a physical 3D model. Stl files are created using a mesh of triangles to represent the physical part. Most CAD programs allow an easy export of .stl files.
Tips on creating perfect .stl files.
Faceting, or flat spots on your part file are relative to the resolution of the .stl file. A good .stl file size is between 0,5 Mb for a simple file to 10 Mb for a large complicated part. Generally if your part is outside of these parameters it should be resized.
Checking your .stl files.
Open the .stl files in your cad application and look at the faceting to ensure the part appears as designed checking for excessive flat spots on curves and contours. Also double check if your file is in inches or millimeters, some programs such as SolidWorks export in millimeters even if the drawing is in inches.
Below you will find some information which can help you checking your .stl files.
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Resolution Too Low
When the faceting is too coarse you can see flat spots on curved surfaces. The flat spots in the .stl file will show up when the part is produced.
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Resolution Too High
while the parts will print when the resolution is too high, it can cause delays in processing parts because of the large size. Increasing the resolution excessively does not improve the quality of the produced part. Please ensure your .stl files are under 10 Mb. |
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Perfect Resolution
Good .stl files have faceting similar to the files pictured on the left, and are manageable to work with and produce excellent prototypes. |
Below you will find detailed instructions for exporting .stl files from popular CAD applications.
Autodesk Inventor
1. Save Copy As
2. Select STL
3. Choose Options > Set to High
4. Enter Filename
5. Save
SolidEdge
1. File > Save As
2. Set Save As Type to STL
3. Options
4. Set Conversion Tolerance to 0.0254 mm or 0.001 inches
5. Set Surface Plane Angle to 45.00
6. Save
SolidWorks
1. File > Save As
2. Set Save As Type to STL
3. Options > Resolution > Fine > OK
4. Save
Unigraphics
1. File > Export > Rapid Prototyping
2. Set Output type to Binary
3. Set Triangle Tolerance to 0.0025
4. Set Adjacency Tolerance to 0.12
5. Set Auto Normal Gen to On
6. Set Normal Display to Off
7. Set Triangle Display to On
ProE
1. File > Export > Model (or File > Save a Copy)
2. Set type to STL
3. Set Chord Height to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value.
4. Set Angle Control to 1
5. Enter Filename
6. OK
ProE Wildfire
1. File > Save a Copy > Model
2. Change type to STL (*.stl)
3. Set Chord Height to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value.
4. Set Angle Control to 1 5. OK
I-DEAS
1. File > Export > Rapid Prototype File > OK
2. Select the Part to be prototyped
3. Select Prototype Device > SLA500.dat > OK
4. Set Absolute Facet Deviation to 0.000395
5. Select Binary > OK
IronCAD
1. Right Click on the part
2. Part Properties > Rendering
3. Set Facet Surface Smoothing to 150
4. File > Export
5. Choose .STL
Rhino
1. File > Save As Select File Type > STL
3. Enter a name for the STL file
4. Save
5. Select Binary STL Files SolidDesigner
1. File > Save
2. Select File Type > STL
3. Select Data
4. Click OK
Alibre
1. File
2. Export
3. Save As > STL
4. Enter Filename
5. Save
Ashlar-Vellum
1. File > Export...
2. Select STL Export type
3. Set Export Options to Binary > OK
4. Enter Filename
5. Save
AutoCAD
Your design must be a three-dimensional solid object to output an STL file.
1. Make sure the model is in positive space
2. At the command prompt type “FACETRES”
3. Set FACETRES between 1 and 10. (1 = low resolution, 10 = high resolution)
4. Next, at the command prompt type “STLOUT”
5. Select Objects
6. Choose “Y” for Binary
7. Choose Filename
Mechanical Desktop
1. Use the AMSTLOUT command to export your STL file.
2. The following command line options affect the quality of the STL and should be adjusted to produce an acceptable file.
A. Angular Tolerance - This command limits the angle between the normals of adjacent triangles. The default setting is 15 degrees. Reducing the angle will increase the resolution of the STL file. A setting of 1 would mean the height of a facet is no greater than its width. The default setting is 0, ignored.
B. Aspect Ratio - This setting controls the Height/Width ratio of the facets.
C. Surface Tolerance - This setting controls the greatest distance between the edge of a facet and the actual geometry. A setting of 0.0000 causes this option to be ignored.
D. Vertex Spacing - This option controls the length of the edge of a facet. The default setting is 0.0000, ignored.
CADKey
1. Choose Stereolithography from Export options
2. Enter Filename
3. Click OK
ScanIP
1. File > Export > STL...
2. Select parts for export and export settings
3. Export
4. Enter Filename
5. Save
Think3
1. File > Save As
2. Set Save As Type to STL
3. Save
SolidDesigner
1. File > Save
2. Select File Type > STL
3. Select Data
4. Click OK
3D studio Max
First check for errors:
An STL object must define a complete and closed surface. Use STL-Check modifier to test your geometry before export your object to STL.
1. Select an object
2. Click Modify
3. Click More...
4. Select STL-Check under Object-Space Modifiers
5. Select Check
If there are no errors, continue to export the STL file by:
6. Choose File > Export
7. Select StereoLitho [*.STL] in Save as Type
8. Select location in Save in
9. Enter a name in File name
10. Click Save
11. Click OK
Export To STL dialog:
12. Object Name: Enter a name for the object you want to save in STL format
13. Binary/ASCII: Choose whether the STL output file will be binary or ASCII data. ASCII STL files are much larger than binary STL files.
14. Selected Only: Exports only objects that you selected in the 3D Studio scene
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