RE: IGES -> PRO E - > STL -> SLA

From: Todd Stahlhut (Hughes Air Warfare Center)
To: RP-ML
Date: Saturday, December 2, 1995
Subject: RE: IGES -> PRO E - > STL -> SLA
> Joe DeGuglielmo wrote
> I'd like to change the subject for a while if that's okay.  How about
> RP, we haven't talked about that lately.  My question deals with the
> Iges file to STL file conversion.
> 1)Could someone briefly explain how this process works and what its
> limits are?

I get IGES files from my customers that represent a wireframe model of the 
part to be built.  These are
the actual models - not any sort of STL file.  The amount of work it takes 
to convert this to a solid model
that can then be converted to a STL file can vary.  I use PRO-E so I first 
need to input the IGES file
into PRO-E.  My own experience shows that ProE does import the iges file ok 
but it is very very slow and
tedious to work with.  I then select entities to tie my cross sections to 
and extrude/revolve/cut as necessary
using these cross sections.  It is very time consuming but works.  Ideally 
you can get to the customer first
and make sure they don't include any unnecessary detail such as radii and 
connecting lines between the
two ends of holes.  There are also two ways to link to the IGES file.  First 
is to just "USE EDGE" and align right
to the edge.  This severely limits any modifications to the resulting ProE 
solid model.  The second method
you also align to the edges but then after regenerating you dimension the 
section then unalign.  If done
successfully you end up with a solid model unassociated to the IGES feature. 
  I have used the above
method on several parts and had good success.  I find that I can convert 
most models in about 2-6 hours.

Don't know if this hits the mark or not - I have seen the IGES programs 
advertised and didn't see how
the could magically take a wireframe model and magically extract surface 
info and such to make a good
STL file ????  I to would appreciate any information on those sorts of 
programs.

Regards,  Todd Stahlhut