stl question

[Jim at Gentex]

Here's what I want to do:

 

-create a model with some geometry and save it as top.mc9

-create a toolpath to machine the top of the part and save it as top.nci

-verify the toolpath and save the resulting stl file as top.stl

-rotate the top.mc9 geometry 180 in the front cplane and save the file as bottom.mc9

-create a toolpath to machine the bottom of the part and save it as bottom.nci

 

Is it possible to now rotate top.stl in the same manner as I rotated the geometry to then verify bottom.nci then save the resulting stl file as complete_part.stl?

 

Thanks in advance for any input as I don't use stl files a whole lot.

[DavidB]

Open the STL file in MC File converters STL read file.Use the STL to Surf C-hook, Rotate it and save as bottom,(File Converters STL write file) use this STL file for Verrify.

HTH

[CAM-mando]

Jim go to File > Converters > STL > Transform File

 

You will get an open dialog box. Select the .stl you want to transform. A transform menu comes up, do the rotation, click done. It will prompt you for which stl format to save in (keep it the same) and it will prompt for a new file name.

[DavidB]

CAMmando,

Thats great I didn't know that

[Jim at Gentex]

Thanks guys!!!

You just made my day.

[Jim at Gentex]

One more thing...

 

I tried to use the rotated stl file but now get the error message: 'stl not closed and watertight', so the simulation runs with a plain block of material. How do we fix this?

 

Thanks again!

[perfecseal mankato]

Why not just verify the top program, save as stl.

on the bottom program use a different wcs and verify the stl the way it sits. will work fine if your not in turbo mode.

[CAM-mando]

Good point Jim.

 

When I used did this I was rotating the part 45 and 90 degrees so the waterfall effect on the leakey stl did not onscure the area I was machining too bad. Rotating 180 would just leave you with a block again wouldn it

[Mike Whitten CAD/CAM Contractors]

Jim,

quote:

---

Why not just verify the top program, save as stl.

on the bottom program use a different wcs and verify the stl the way it sits. will work fine if your not in turbo mode.

---

This is the only way we do it. It makes it much easier. This way I just save the an stl from op1 and use it for stock for op2, etc. We do this only for our Vertical mills though.

 

JM2C,

Mike

 

[ 02-25-2005, 01:36 PM: Message edited by: Michael Whitten ]

[Jim at Gentex]

Thanks all for the input. Yes, changing wcs is probably the easiest.