SolidWorks 2018 Importing STL Files
Today we are going to give you some tips and tricks using SOLIDWORKS 2018 when importing STL format files. The STL format file, or “Stereolithography” format, was developed by 3D Systems, and has been around since 1987. In these past three decades, it has been widely used in rapid prototyping, as well as in the 3D Printing industry. As for SOLIDWORKS, it has the ability to import STL files. The default import setting is to import the body as a graphics body, therefore, what you can do with it is very limited. For example, you can’t get a cross-section, you can’t perform Boolean operations, nor can you create a sketch on the body’s faces. In short, it’s like having a 3D picture on your screen. However, did you know that there is a way to change that setting and import STL files either as a BREP solid or a surface body? The first step to do this is to set your system options for importing Mesh files. Go to System Options > Import, and set your File Format to STL. This is where we will change the import option to Solid Body. Now, the next time you open an STL, SOLIDWORKS will automatically [...]
Form 2 3D Printer Promo
For a limited time, you can purchase a Form 2 3D Printer bundle from Formlabs at the discounted price of $4,999. The bundle includes everything you need - Form 2 Printer, Resin Tank, Build Platform, Finish Kit, 1 general purpose resin, 1-year Professional Service Plan, Form Wash, and Form Cure (valued at $5,196). The Form 2 enables you to print precise models with stunning surface finish – significantly smoother and more detailed than other plastic 3D printing technologies. To take advantage of this special sales promotion, please call us at 866-277-8778 or email us by clicking the link below. Contact Us
Cimquest Named Top Mastercam Reseller in the World
2018 is getting off to a great start. We are so very proud to announce that CNC Software (the makers of Mastercam) has named Cimquest the #1 Worldwide Mastercam Reseller. We would just like to take this opportunity to thank you. Thank you for choosing Mastercam and thank you for being our customers. We would have no success without you and we plan to do our very best to continue our award-winning service. For more information about the Mastercam line of products, please click the button below. More Info
Designing a Space Mouse Case
At times, a customer will come to us with an idea whether it is a hand sketch, a picture, or a simple drawing with dimensions on it in hopes of creating a prototype by 3D printing it. Here, at Cimquest, we have all the tools needed to create and produce these ideas and bring them to life. To illustrate this, we have created a portable case to carry a 3D Connexion Wireless Space Mouse and USB, since there was nowhere to place the USB receiver when carrying the mouse around. We still had the molded pulp packaging, which contains the cavity of the space mouse, with a perfect fit, so our first task was to capture this geometry. We used Geomagic's Capture scanner for this task, which scans at a resolution of .007." As it rotates and scans, it aligns each scan to the next and then easily stitches them together as one clean mesh file. Next, we used Design X to reverse engineer the geometry into an editable CAD model. Once we recreated what we needed, we exported out the geometry and the Feature Manager Tree to SOLIDWORKS. In SOLIDWORKS is where the engineering happens. After completing the bottom case, we were [...]
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12
In recent years, advancements in additive manufacturing and materials science have made it possible to build stronger parts with greater complexity. With the release of new and refined engineering materials, we're seeing more and more cases of companies entering the world of production 3D printing. HP is on the forefront of materials innovation and today we'll take a look at one of their notable developments, High Reusability PA 12. High Reusability PA 12 was HP's first 3D material available with the launch of their Jet Fusion series. It is a high strength, multi-purpose thermoplastic that enables industry-leading powder reusability. With PA 12, you can produce high-density, watertight parts with balanced property profiles. Below are some of the key specifications. You can see that it has an impressive tensile strength and relatively high heat deflection temperature. This material also provides great chemical resistance to oils, greases, and alkalis. All of these attributes make it great for producing both prototypes and functional end-use parts, with fine detail and dimensional accuracy. It is also optimal for post-finishing processes. Aside from these important characteristics, PA 12 allows you to achieve the lowest cost per part, at up to half the cost of comparable extrusion-based systems and selective [...]
Lubrizol Introduces First 3D Printing Materials
(Reprint from https://www.tctmagazine.com) Parts manufactured in TPU with the Multi Jet Fusion process. Lubrizol, a specialty chemicals company, has introduced its first three 3D printing material products after its entry into the additive market. The Ohio-based company has followed the likes of BASF, SABIC, and Clariant into the industry to offer its expertise, particularly in the development of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) materials, to those pushing AM from a prototyping tool to a volume manufacturing one. Though making the announcement at TCT Asia, Lubrizol was keen to emphasize the launch of its Estane TPU soft; flexible to hard; and rigid grades were merely the start. The three materials have been developed for extrusion-based processes, but the company is also targeting Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and, as per its involvement with HP’s Open Applications and Materials Program, Multi Jet Fusion (MJF). "Following the recently-announced partnership with HP, Lubrizol continues to expand our presence within the fast-growing space of 3D Printing,” commented David Pascual, Lubrizol Marketing Manager, in a company press release. “This event offers a great opportunity to further showcase our broad TPU portfolio aiming to serve all thermoplastic 3D printing technologies including FDM, SLS and MJF. By combining our differentiating chemistries together [...]