Generating STL files with 3D mesh (#152 / #1-04-1)

Application

With the 3D mesh function, you generate STL files from 3D models. This allows you to repair defective fixture and tool holder files, for example, or to position STL files generated from the simulation for another machining operation.

Requirement

  • Software option CAD Model Optimizer (#152 / #1-04-1)

Description of function

When you select the 3D mesh icon, the control changes to 3D mesh mode. The control covers the 3D model displayed in CAD Viewer with a mesh of triangles.

The control simplifies the original model and removes errors, such as small holes in a solid or self-intersections of a surface.

You can save the result and use it for various control functions, for example as a workpiece blank with the BLK FORM FILE function.

3D model in 3D mesh mode

The simplified model or parts of it may be smaller or larger than the original model. The result depends on the quality of the original model and the settings selected in 3D mesh mode.

The List View area shows the following information:

Option

Meaning

Original triangles

Number of triangles in the original model

Number of triangles:

Number of triangles with active settings in the simplified model

 
Tip

If this option is highlighted in green, the number of triangles is in the optimum range.

You can further reduce the number of triangles using the available functions.

Functions for the simplified model

Maximum increase

Maximum increase of the triangle mesh

Over-limit area

Surface increase in percent compared to the original model

Maximum decrease

Maximum decrease of the triangle mesh compared to the original model

Under-limit area

Surface decrease in percent compared to the original model

Repairs

Indicates whether the original model has been repaired or not

If it has been repaired, the control indicates the type of repair (e.g., Hole Int Shells).

This indication consists of the following items:

  • Hole
  • CAD Viewer closed holes in the 3D model.

  • Int
  • CAD Viewer removed self-intersections.

  • Shells
  • CAD Viewer joined multiple separate solids.

In order to use STL files for control functions, the saved files must meet the following requirements:

  • Max. 20 000 triangles
  • Triangular mesh forms a closed shell

The greater the number of triangles in an STL file, the greater the processing power required by the control for simulation.

Functions for the simplified model

In order to reduce the number of triangles, you can define further settings for the simplified model.

CAD Viewer provides the following functions:

Icon

Meaning

Allowed simplification

Use this function to simplify the output model by the specified tolerance. The higher the value, the more the surfaces may deviate from the original.

Remove holes <= diameter

Use this function to remove holes and pockets up to the specified diameter from the original model.

Only optimized mesh shown

The control shows the simplified model only.

Original is displayed

The control shows the simplified model, superimposed with the original mesh from the original file. You can use this function to evaluate deviations.

Save

Use this function to save the simplified 3D model with the selected settings as an STL file.

Positioning the 3D model for rear-face machining

To position an STL file for rear-face machining:

  1. Export the simulated workpiece as an STL file
  2. Saving a simulated workpiece as STL file

  1. Select the Files operating mode

  1. Select the exported STL file
  2. The control opens the STL file in CAD Viewer.

  1. Select Preset
  2. The control displays information on the preset position in the List View area.
  3. Enter the value of the new preset in the Preset area (e.g., Z–40)
  4. Confirm your input
  5. Orient the coordinate system by specifying values under PLANE SPATIAL SP* (e.g., A+180 and C+90)
  6. Confirm your input

  1. Select 3D mesh
  2. The control opens the 3D mesh mode and simplifies the 3D model using the default settings.
  3. Further simplify the 3D model using the 3D mesh mode functions, if required.
  4. Functions for the simplified model

  1. Select Save
  2. The control opens the Define file name for 3D mesh window.
  3. Enter the desired name
  4. Select Save
  5. The control saves the STL file positioned for rear-face machining.
 
Tip

The resulting file can then be used for rear-face machining with the BLK FORM FILE function.

Defining a workpiece blank with BLK FORM