FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What Is Stereolithography?

Stereolithography (SLA) is a "rapid-prototyping" process which produces a physical, three dimensional object from a 3D CAD file. A stereolithography machine uses a computer controled laser to cure a photo-sensitive resin, layer by layer, to create the 3D part.

Producing a pre-production SLA prototype of a part can greatly enhance the geometric visualization of a product, as well as communication between project team members.

Stereolithography is fast, allowing prototypes to be made in a matter of days, and the complexity of the model is seldom a factor.

2. How do I create an STL file from my CAD program?

.STL (stereolithography) Files

The .STL file format has become the Rapid Prototyping industry's defacto standard data transmission format and is the format required to interact with stereolithography machines. This format approximates the surfaces of a solid model with triangles.

Almost all of today's CAD systems are capable of producing an STL file. For the user the process is often as simple as selecting File, Save As, STL. Below are steps for producing high quality STL files from a number of today's leading CAD systems. In all cases, export your STL file as a Binary file. This saves on time and file size.


(Please note, these are only general guidelines and may not work or produce the best possible STL file in some cases. Please consult you user's guide or the software's developers for more information or technical support. Should we determine that your STL file is not adequate for production we will contact you for an updated file.)

AutoCAD
Your design must be a three-dimensional solid object to output an STL file.

  1. Set the FACETRES = 10
  2. Use the STLOUT command to export your STL file.

I-DEAS

  1. File > Export > Rapid Prototype File > OK
  2. Select the Part to be Prototyped
  3. Select Prototype Device > SLA500.dat > OK
  4. Set absolute facet deviation to 0.000395
  5. Select Binary > OK

IronCAD

  1. Part Properties > Rendering
  2. Set Facet Surface Smoothing to 150
  3. File > Export
  4. Choose .STL

Mechanical Desktop

  1. Make sure you save your work before attempting this procedure.
  2. Set the FACETRES = 6 (As above in AutoCAD instructions)
  3. You will have to "Explode" your parametric solid to export an .stl output (Special note: DO NOT save your work after "Exploding")
  4. Use the STLOUT command to export your STL file.

ProE

  1. File > Export > Model
  2. STL
  3. Set chord height to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value.
  4. Set Angle Control to 1
  5. OK

SolidDesigner

  1. File > External > Save STL
  2. Select Binary Mode
  3. Select Part
  4. Enter filename
  5. Enter Max Deviation Distance of .01mm
  6. Click OK

SolidEdge

  1. File > Save As
  2. Set Save As Type to STL
  3. Options
  4. Set Conversion Tolerance to 0.001in. or .0254mm.
  5. Set Surface Plane Angle to 45.00º
  6. Save

SolidWorks

  1. Tools > Options > Export
  2. STL Options
  3. Set Quality to Fine
  4. File > Save As
  5. Set Save As Type to STL
  6. Save

Unigraphics

  1. File > Export > Rapid Prototyping
  2. Set Output type to Binary
  3. Set Triangle Tolerance to 0.0025
  4. Set Adjacency Tolerance to 0.12
  5. Set Auto Normal Gen to On
  6. Set Normal Display to Off
  7. Set Triangle Display to On

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