.STL Creation

From: Scott -Scooter- Sutterer (ssutter@pdmfg.com)
Date: Mon Nov 23 1998 - 22:56:59 EET


As promised here is a list of directions on how to make good .stl of
different CAD systems any other systems would be additions would be
appreciated.

Pro/Engineer Release 20

1. Open part to be exported.
2. Click on File then drag to Export then Model.
3. Click on STL.
4. Click on Chord Height.
5. Type 0 and press the Enter key.
6. Pro/Engineer will then give a minimum and maximum chord height.
Type in the minimum number and press the Enter key.
7. Click on Angle Control and press the Enter key to except the default
of (.5).
8. Click on Output.
9. Click on Default.
10. Press Enter to except the default name of the part.
11. Type Y then press Enter to continue with points in non-positive
coordinates.

Mechanical Desktop 2.0

1. Open part to be exported.
2. Set viewres of drawing at 20000
        (COMMAND: Type VIEWRES press the Enter key.
                                FASTZOOM (Y) press the Enter key.
                                New Value(100) 20000 press the Enter key.

3. Set the facetres of the drawing.

        (COMMAND: Type FACTRES press the Enter key.
                                (.500) Type 10 press the Enter key.
4. Put drawing in ISO view.

                                Click on VIEW and drag to MODEL VIEW.
                                Pick an ISO View.
5. Make work planes invisible.

                                Look at the browser and locate the work and axis plane.
                                If there is a check next to the word visible click to remove.

6. Save the file as a different name than the MDT model drawing. If
you finish the steps of building the model or you cannot save or do
undo. ?
 
7. Explode the part (Check to see what layer is current, you will want
it on a continuous line layer). Select just the part. Do not select all
or it will include the title block. Type YES at prompt to remove from
assembly.
 
8. Click on File then Export.
                                Export Data box
                                in save as type:
                                Click Lithography(*.stl)

When you get the command line back. DO UNDO OR DO NOT SAVE CHANGES

IF SAVED EARLIER AS DIFFERENT FILE YOU WILL BE OKAY

OR

Command: viewres
 
Do you want fast zooms? <Y> Y
 
Enter circle zoom percent (1-20000) <100>: 20000
Regenerating drawing.
 
 
Then type in facetres at the command prompt and change the value to 10.
This will give you the highest resolution for an STL output that
Mechanical Desktop is capable of outputting.
 
Command: facetres
 
New value for FACETRES <0.5000>: 10
 
 
Now you can use the "stlout" command and you will get a very good STL
file. (providing there are not any problems with the construction
of your model).

SDRC I-DEAS
Master Series 6.1 CAD software.:

1. Check the parts validity by calculating its volume. It should be able
to calculate the volume with no open surfaces to be a good part. Also
delete unnecessary lines and points.

2. Select File/Export and then Rapid Prototype File/OK. Then select the
part as prompted by Pick part to prototype. Only one part can/will be
selected, but multiple parts may be on the screen.

3. A window/form entitled Create Prototype will appear on the screen.
Fill in the entries as follows:

In the first entry, Prototype Device, select the file folder on the
right to get the RP systems list.

Select SLA-500.

In the second entry, Part Positioning (X,Y,Z), select the arrow button
on the right to get the part positioning list.

Select Centered.

NOTE: In the two entries above, you must keep in mind that you are
creating a somewhat universal file that can be used with all RP systems.
By choosing the SLA-500 and Origin selections, I-DEAS will not issue a
warning that the part will not fit in the RP workspace. It really
doesn't matter which settings are selected as the RP system operator
will manipulate the STL file to the proper orientation for the system to
be used.

In the third entry, Output File, enter a name for the STL file being
created, or use the file folder on the right to select an existing name.
Make sure the name has the .stl included.

In the forth entry, Absolute Facet Deviation, input .002. This is a
setting that determines the number of facets that are used to describe
the CAD part. It is sometimes referred to as a tolerance. Occasionally,
parts with curved surfaces and larger rounded features will require a
better definition. At that time, .0015 or .001 may be appropriate. The
smaller the value, the greater number of triangles or facets are
generated to define the parts surfaces. This also creates larger file
sizes which are more difficult to handle.

Select the Show Facets button to view the triangles. This step is no
required and is only for the users reference as it is very difficult to
view.

Select the Binary button.

Select Done.

If an error or warning appears that the part will not fit in the RP
workspace, ignore it. The software has determined that the part, which
is located in free space, is not completely within the RP modeler build
volume that is assigned in that free space. The part would have to be
located in the positive 3D quadrant to not get the message.

4. The .STL file has now been created and resides in the ideas
directory.

-- 
Scott "Scooter" Sutterer
Premier Design & Mfg. Co.      
5988 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.  
St. Charles MO 63304
Phone: (314) 936-1288
Fax: (314) 936-2528
ssutter@pdmfg.com
www.pdmfg.com

For more information about the rp-ml, see http://ltk.hut.fi/rp-ml/



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