STL Data

STL Data Manipulation and STL Conversion files are nothing short of a nightmare. But, converting a CAD model into a file format ready for 3D printing is indispensable. 

Therefore, it is important to know some of the errors that can arise during conversion.

1. Holes or gaps in a mesh: When adjacent triangles fail to share two common vertices, this error causes printing failures. The design in STL manifold must be watertight at all times.

2. Flipped normals: Sometimes, the normal vectors can face a reverse direction, causing difficulties in identifying the inside and the outside of the model. In such cases, the model cannot be accurately sliced and printed.

3. Bad edges: A simple case of improper connection at the edges of the triangles creates holes and undue contours. It renders a digital model which is not printable. Patching and blending with dedicated software tools can help repair the file.

These are just 3 points that can be problematic.

Software programs such as Quicksurface, & Verisurf Reverse are excellent options in manipulating and cleaning stl data ready for reverse engineering.