How to use STL file cutting

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By Vinh Kim, 3D Modeling and Manufacturing

Introduction:
To print out 3D materials, the Manufacturing Division Manager Ali Etezadkhah will provide his own 3D printer that can print 5 by 8 in parts. In some cases, the 3D printer cannot print larger parts because its size is too small. In order to cut down the size of the model, we have to use a program call STL (Surface-Tesselation-Language) so that it will fit the 3D printer for parts print out.

STL Step by step guide:
Here we have a model from the rover team where we have to use STL file to cut the parts.

figure 1 (1) 

Figure 1

Step 1:

 figure 2

Figure 2

Go to www.netfabb.com and download the netfabb Basic since SolidWorks program cannot cut the STL file. Now open the netfabb program than open the STL file.

Step 2:

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Figure 3

Here we see that the model length is 140 mm (5.51181 in) and the width is 150 mm (5.90551 in), (as expected, the model is too large).

Step 3:

Next, go to Extras and click on the Free cut (Pro).

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Figure 4

Step 4:

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Figure 5

A product information menu will pop up which telling the user that we need netfabb Professional is required to use. It costs 1,799.00 USD to buy on the netfabb website. In this case, we do not need to buy the license program since the netfabb basic will cut the STL model too so just close the window.

Step 5:

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Figure 6

From the box on the right hand side, we can see cuts (X,Y,Z). Just use the X and move the bar to 70 mm because 140/2 = 70 mm and click Execute cut.

Step 6:

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Figure 7

Now, on the bottom right side, click cut.

Step 7:

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Figure 8

Next, click on the model (right side) and it will turn green. Now, right click on the mouse and go to export part as STL and save it. Finally, use the same method for the left side of the model.

Conclusion:
For the hexapod, we also used this program to break down our parts since the body is too big for the 3D printer (size … ). The STL file will cut it into four pieces and later will be printed parts by parts. Everything will be compressed into a STL file and sent to Ali to print out the pieces.