Stratasys Objet24 - Preparing Files for Use with Objet 3 D Printing Systems; Converting CAD Files to STL Format; Converting CAD Files to SLC Format

Introducing the Objet24 3D Printing System
3–8 DOC-34014 Rev. C
Preparing Files for Use with Objet 3D Printing Systems
BeforeusingfileswithObjet3Dprintingsystems,youneedtoconvertthem
inyourCADprogramtoafileformatsupportedbyObjetStudio.(Foran
explanationofthesefileformats,see“SourceFiles”onpage 4.)
Youcanprintseveralmodelsorpartsatthesametime,afterarranging
them
onthebuildtrayinObjetStudio.Thefollowingarethemaximum
dimensionsforasinglemodelprintedontheObjet24printer:
• With glossy finish—
X‐axis:234.00mm(9.21inches)
Y‐axis:192.00mm(7.55inches)
Z‐axis:148.60mm(5.85inches)
• With matte finish—
X‐axis:233.00mm(9.17inches)
Y‐axis:191.00mm(7.52inches)
Z‐axis:148.30mm(5.83inches)
Converting
CAD Files to
STL Format
Thisproceduremayvaryslightly,dependingontheCADsoftwareused,
butthefollowinginstructionsgenerallyapply.
To convert a file to STL format (in a CAD program):
1. FromtheFilemenu,selectSave As.
2. IntheSaveAsdialogbox,opentheSaveAsTypedrop‐downlistand
select*.STL.
3. Click
Optionsandsetthefollowingparameters:
• TotalQuality—approximately0.01mm(deviationtolerance/
linear‐dimensiontolerance)
• DetailQuality—approximately5°(angletolerance)
Note: Lowering these values produces more accurate models, but
results in larger files and longer loading and processing times. For this
reason, it is generally not recommended that you use lower values.
4. Inthefileformatoption,choosebinaryorASCII.(Bothbinaryand
ASCIIformatscanbeusedinObjetStudio.However,binaryfilesare
smaller,sothisoptionisrecommended.)
5. Click
OKorSave.
Afterconvertingthemodelfiles,itisrecommendedthatyoucheckthemfor
defectsinanSTL‐repairapplication(suchasMagics™,byMaterialise
®
)
beforeopeningtheminObjetStudioandproducingthemodel.
Converting
CAD Files to
SLC Format
WhenconvertingfilestoSLCformat,itisrecommendedthatyousetalay er
thicknessof15microns(0.015mm).SinceSLCfilescannotbeorientatedin
ObjetStudio,itisimportantthatmodelsareproperlyorientatedbefore
beingsavedasSLCfiles.Considerationsforsuitablemodelorientationare
explainedin
“ModelOrientation”onpage 5‐20.
For more information, search for “CAD to STL” on www.stratasys.com.