Creating a good Stereolithography (STL) file with AutoCad:
Design to be 3D solid object
Set FACETRES=10
STLOUT to export STL file
Creating a good stereolithography (STL) file with Euclid:
We recommend that native data from Euclid should be sent to Laser Prototypes using the exchangedb utility. When the object to be built is retrieved from the database it is then possible to generate an .stl file using the CREATE .STL MENU (keyboard code=SLA).
If the solid object cannot easily be recomputed it is possible to use the polyhedralpolygons in the display list for the generation of .stl triangles. This polyhedral representation can be very coarse.
On introduction to Euclid the secondary table in the parameter block initialisation should have the polygonisation coefficient set to its finest resolution; ie: 2.0. Also, the workspace setting in the primary parameter block needs to be set as small as the model extents.
Creating a good Stereolithography (STL) file with IDEAS:
Select FILE > EXPORT > RAPID PROTOTYPE FILE
Click on the model to be converted to STL format
Select the following settings from the dialogue box:
Prototype Device - SLA500.DAT
Part Positioning - ORIGIN
Absolute facet deviation - 0.01
Output file type - BINARY
Select OK
Creating a good Stereolithography (STL) file with Mechanical Desktop:
Use the AMSTLOUT command to export the STL file.
Angular Tolerance - Reducing the default of 15 degrees increases the STL file resolution.
Aspect Ratio - controls the Height/width ratio of the facets. A setting of 1 would mean the height of a facet is no greater than its' width. Default setting is 0, ignored.
Surface Tolerance - controls the greatest distance between the edge of a facet and the actual geometry. A setting of 0.000 causes this option to be ignored.
Vertex Spacing - controls the length of the edge of a facet. Default setting is 0.000, ignored.
Creating a good Stereolitography (STL) File with Pro/ENGINEER:
Creating a good STL file is related to part accuracy and the overall physical size of the part.
Default accuracy (0.0012) is usually satisfactory for parts that can be contained in a cube 100mm x 100mm x 100mm and which possess the smallest radii feature of RO.5.
If the part is physically larger in one dimension than 100mm and possesses small radii features, the part accuracy may have to be increased to produce a satisfactory STL file.
We recommend that you do this prior or near to the start of the modelling process, when there are few features to regenerate.
If this is not possible, it may be a matter of trial and error, combined with experience, however a good STL file can still be produced.
Creating an STL file with PRO/ENGINEER:
Select the FILE > EXPORT > MODEL > STL MENU.
Use the default on the pop-up menu for Coordinate system, Binary format and allow negative values At the Chord Height prompt type 0.01 and press ENTER
If the chord height changes to a value of between:
0.01 & 0.02, enter 0 as the Angle Control
0.02 & 0.04, enter 0.5 as the Angle Control
0.04 & 0.05, enter 1 as the Angle Control
Click on O.K
Recommended Tolerance:
We recommend that the Chord Height should be between 0.01mm and 0.02mm and the Angle Control set to 0. If it is not possible for the Chord Height to be set as low as this, a value of up to 0.05mm should be acceptable using the Angle Control values stated above. A Chord Height of more than 0.05 should be avoided, as this would be outside Laser Prototypes tolerance.
Creating a good Stereolithography (STL) file with Solidworks:
Select TOOLS > OPTIONS > EXPORT
STL OPTIONS
Set Quality to FINE
FILE > SAVE AS
Set SAVE AS Type to STL
SAVE
Creating a good Stereolithography (STL) file with Solid Designer:
Select FILE > EXTERNAL > SAVE STL
Select BINARY mode
Select Part
Enter Filename
Enter Max. Deviation Distance of .01mm
OK
Creating a good Stereolithography (STL) file with Solid Edge:
FILE > SAVE AS
Set SAVE AS Type to STL
OPTIONS
Set Conversion Tolerance to 0.001in. or 0.0254mm.
Set Surface Plane Angle to 45.00
SAVE
Creating a good Stereolithography (STL) file with Unigraphics:
Select FILE > EXPORT > 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