Rapid prototyping is the name given to a host of related technologies that are used to fabricate physical objects from CAD data sources. These methods are unique in that they add and bond materials in layers to form objects or parts. Such systems are also known by the general names three dimensional printing, solid freeform fabrication and layered manufacturing. (Printing the Future by Ed Granda).
In order to ready your prototype for printing we need you to create an STL file. Below we have provided directions to create an STL file for a wide variety of software.
How to create a STL file.
AutoCAD
Your design must be a three-dimensional solid object to output an STL file.
Type these commands in AutoCAD's command line:
Set DISPSILH to 1
Set ISOLINES to 0
Set FACETRES to 10
Relocate the object to the positive X-Y-Z octant
Use the STLOUT command to export an STL file. (AMSTLOUT for AutoCAD Desktop files)
Autodesk Inventor
The detail settings for STL Output are stored in the registry. Information on changing the detail level can be found at Autodesk's website, under the title "Set accuracy for exporting STL files from Autodesk Inventor software" and ID TS64378.
Go to the File menu, then select the Save Copy As... choice
Select STL from the Types drop-down
Click the Options button, and choose the High detail level
Click the Save Button.
CADKEY
Go to the File menu, then Export, then STL
Type in a filename and select OK
A new window will appear with options for the export
Change Format to Binary
Change Facet Tolerance if a higher resolution STL file is desired
Additional export tolerance options are in the Solids99 Configuration window accessed from the Tolerance section of Configuration.
I-DEAS
Select File then Export, next choose Rapid Prototype File then OK.
Select the Part to be prototyped
Select Prototype Device then, SLA500.dat then OK
Set absolute facet deviation to 0.000395.
Select Binary, then OK
IronCAD
Select Part Properties then Rendering
Set Facet Surface Smoothing to 150
Select File then Export
Select .STL
Mechanical Desktop
Use the AMSTLOUT command to export the STL file.
Pro/ENGINEER (pre 2001)
Select File then Export, then Model
Select STL
Input 0 for the chord height
Leave Angle Control at default
Select OK
Pro/ENGINEER
Select File, then Save As
Pick .STL from the Save As Type dropdown menu
Input 0 for the chord height
Leave Angle Control at default
Select OK
SolidDesigner
Select the File menu, then External, then Save STL
Select Binary mode
Select Part
Type in your Filename
Enter 0.01 mm for the Max Deviation Distance
Select OK
SolidEdge
Select File, then Save As
Set Save As Type to STL
Select Options
Set Conversion Tolerance to 0.001 in or 0.0254 mm.
Set Surface Plane Angle to 45.00°
Select Save
SolidWorks
Select File, then Save As...
Select STL (*.STL)"
Select Options
Set Resolution to Fine
Select OK
Select Save
Unigraphics
Select File, then Export, then Rapid Prototyping
Set Output Type to Binary
Set Triangle Tolerance to 0.0025
Set Adjacency Tolerance to 0.12
Set Auto Normal Gen to On
Set Normal Display to Off
Set Triangle Display to On
How Does Rapid Protoyping Work?
Check out our video below.
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