STL -> CAD

[kacper.suchomski]

3D scanning offers huge opportunities in the area of ​​metrology and reverse engineering. However, the scanning stage alone is not sufficient in most processes.
A pre-processed scan:
suitable as a reference material in the design process
averagely suitable for 3D printing (less demanding cases)
not suitable for use on CNC

Below is an example of reverse engineering.
In my opinion, the tactic of surface modeling is particularly noteworthy here.

[Frederick_Law]

Hopefully CAD software will work with 3D scan and mesh better in the future.
It'll help with product development, QC and repair.

[len_1962]

SolidWorks and IV have add-ins from orther software companies that work well for this, one I use is DezignWorks, works great with our Romer arm probe and scanner, you work right inside your CAD building the part file from 2D using the probe to 3D using the scanner creating surfaces or solids.

years ago I tried Spaceclaim and they worked well with scan meshes, just didn't like the UI.

[DanPihlaja]

Lately we have been pushed by our customer to convert some STL files that they provided to us into CAD models. We use Solidworks here.

These STL files are outputs from their CNC programming software (Espirit). Since they are NOT scans, they are extremely hard to work with because they have toolpaths in them.

I wonder if there is a better way. I have tried using the Scanning converters to turn things into nice swoopy surfaces, but nothing has worked so far except old fashioned elbow grease of measuring and re-modeling.

[AlexLachance]

Lately we have been pushed by our customer to convert some STL files that they provided to us into CAD models. We use Solidworks here.

These STL files are outputs from their CNC programming software (Espirit). Since they are NOT scans, they are extremely hard to work with because they have toolpaths in them.

I wonder if there is a better way. I have tried using the Scanning converters to turn things into nice swoopy surfaces, but nothing has worked so far except old fashioned elbow grease of measuring and re-modeling.

Could you provide a model or something close to it, or image of what struggles you're facing..?

[Frederick_Law]

Lately we have been pushed by our customer to convert some STL files that they provided to us into CAD models. We use Solidworks here.

These STL files are outputs from their CNC programming software (Espirit). Since they are NOT scans, they are extremely hard to work with because they have toolpaths in them.

I wonder if there is a better way. I have tried using the Scanning converters to turn things into nice swoopy surfaces, but nothing has worked so far except old fashioned elbow grease of measuring and re-modeling.

Is the STL real STL file? 3D print and measure? LOL
Customer want to make old parts but don't have drawing and only got program for old machine?

[DanPihlaja]

Is the STL real STL file? 3D print and measure? LOL
Customer want to make old parts but don't have drawing and only got program for old machine?

That is correct. Customer only has program for old program.

[Frederick_Law]

Do they know the tool size in the program?
I don't think STL contain tool info.
Basically STL is just triangles. Millions of triangles.

[Frederick_Law]

Can you share the STL file?

[DanPihlaja]

Can you share the STL file?

Unfortunately, I cannot. It is behind the NDA wall.

However, I will try to get an example part from one of our CNC programmers that I can share.

[AlexLachance]

Unfortunately, I cannot. It is behind the NDA wall.

However, I will try to get an example part from one of our CNC programmers that I can share.

taking the part, slicing it here and there and leaving only a sample of it and then exporting it as a .step wouldn't "work-around" the NDA...?

[Frederick_Law]

taking the part, slicing it here and there and leaving only a sample of it and then exporting it as a .step wouldn't "work-around" the NDA...?

I'll say no, after all the pager explosion.
It's not just stealing the design anymore.

Oh, today Walkie talkies.

[DanPihlaja]

taking the part, slicing it here and there and leaving only a sample of it and then exporting it as a .step wouldn't "work-around" the NDA...?

Unfortunately, with the amount of surfaces (over 600,000) on this thing (after I turn it into a solid), "slicing it here and there and leaving only a sample of it and then exporting it as a .step" would take me about 3 hours. Assuming Solidworks even allowed the cuts to happen in the first place....AND it will allow a STEP file translation. Most of that 3 hours is waiting for Solidworks to catch up (and yes, we have contacted Solidworks AND tested this on something top of the line....and it didn't save much time). And then on top of that, the STEP file would probably take an entire night to translate.

OUr VAR told us that we are already doing everything that we can to minimize loading times.

[Frederick_Law]

3D print it and measure and remodel.