Improving Aesthetics of a Scanned Mesh
In this blog post we will discuss how to improve the quality of your STL to produce better 3D Printed parts. The STL, or Stereo Lithography file format, is widely used for rapid prototyping, 3D Printing, and CAM. An STL file describes the surface geometry of a 3D object by triangulating the vertices on each face of the object. At times though, the STL file may contain errors, small holes, imperfections, and blemishes as shown below. These imperfections may happen if the file was produced by scanning a used or worn part. So how do you go about modifying the STL file, and optimizing it, to produce a better quality 3D Printed part? One solution is to use Geomagic Wrap. It has many powerful easy-to-use tools that enable you to improve the cosmetics of the model by modifying the mesh structure underneath. Let me show you a few of these tools. First, you can easily remove the spikes, or pyramid shaped polygons from the mesh and smooth them out by using the Spike Removal tool. Next, for the sections of the model that are really sloppy, you can simply delete the polygons by using the Manifold Open tool to quickly get rid of [...]
SOLIDWORKS 2017 Convert Features to Bodies and Surfaces
There is new functionality in SOLIDWORKS 2017called Convert to Bodies, that allows you to remove the feature history in a part, while retaining geometric references in the assembly. This new feature comes in handy if you have a simple assembly and you want it to one of your manufacturers, but don’t want to share the feature history of the part you designed. One option is to save out the part file as a neutral format file, such as a step or an iges file. However, you would then have to take additional steps to swap out the file with feature history, with the recently created step file. Instead, you can avoid these additional steps by using the new functionality Convert to Bodies. To do this, open up the part file, right-click on the file name that appears at the top of the Feature Manager Design Tree, and click on Convert to Bodies. Change the name of the new file so that the original file is not overwritten. When you click OK all of the features on the tree are converted to one body, and the feature history tree is removed. If you want to hold on to your sketches and reference geometry, select the [...]
SOLIDWORKS 2017 Patterns and Features UI
In today’s blog post we are going to introduce three new enhancements to Parts and Features in SolidWorks 2017. The first one has to do with using Instances to Skip in patterns. When creating a pattern, SolidWorks would already give you the flexibility to remove a pattern instance by clicking on the pink spheres; this way you weren’t bound to the array produced. Although at times, depending on how many instances you wanted to skip, this could become a tedious process. Now in SolidWorks 2017, you are able to add or remove instances to skip by simply using a box or lasso, greatly speeding up the selection process. Another useful enhancement has to do with extruding from Any Size Planar Face. Previously, SolidWorks allowed you to extrude from a Surface/Plane/Face. The limitation was that the Surface/Plane/Face must encapsulate the sketch. If it didn’t, you would have to create additional reference geometry so that you can achieve the desired extrude. Now in SolidWorks 2017, that limitation has been removed. You can now extrude from Any Size Planar Face, whether it fully encapsulates the sketch or not. The last enhancement involves Circular Patterns. Now in SolidWorks 2017, you are able to create Symmetrical, and Asymmetrical [...]
New Dynamic High-Efficiency Milling Training
The next Cimquest Dynamic High-Efficiency Milling course is set to run April 11-13, 2017 at HFO Pittsburgh, Warrendale PA. If you are looking for more ways to stay competitive in today’s rapidly changing manufacturing environment it is imperative that you stay on top of new and emerging technologies. This new Manufacturing Training series will take you to the next level and improve your machining production. This training course will teach you how to implement, evaluate, and select components for high-efficiency milling to get shorter cycle times, reduce tool wear, and extend machine life. You will learn guidelines to selecting key components with hands-on interactions to build your ability in identifying and creating an efficient milling process. A couple of comments from recent class participants . . . "Content and information exceeded my expectations" - Rich Marchese, HEM class attendee "I would recommend this class to others; it really makes you think of every aspect of the process, not just the programming side of it. I didn't think of work holding and tool holding before or if the machine could even handle these specific operations." - David Adams, HEM class attendee
Employee Spotlight – Jim Snodgrass
And now it’s time to introduce you to another Cimquest employee, Jim Snodgrass. Jim is one of our 3D printer sales guys and here’s some more interesting facts about him. What are your responsibilities at Cimquest? Large Frame 3D Printer Sales What industry do you come from? CQ was my first real job after college. I’ve also done odd jobs including construction and being a waiter. Where are you from (hometown)? Born in Germany then Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Kwajalein (Marshall Islands,) Colorado then NJ (Army Brat). But Scotch Plains and Springfield NJ are "Most Home." What is your educational background? Business / Marketing Degree at Arizona State University How long have you worked at Cimquest? 6 years What are your hobbies? Woodworking / home renovation, hanging out with my wife and son, camping, and imagining homesteading or off-grid self-sustainable living. What do you enjoy most about your job? Meeting with brilliant people from all industries and getting a real life glimpse at "How It's Made." What do you feel is the most important aspect of your job? Getting customers the info and understanding they need to make an informed investment (or decide to not invest). What is your most treasured possession? [...]
Go!Scan Portable 3D Scanner
The Go!Scan 3D portable handheld scanner delivers high-quality 3D models with reliable measurements. It weighs a little over 2lbs and has an ergonomic grip providing simple ease of use. Similar to Creaform’s HandyScan, it has a USB and power cable which connects directly to your laptop or workstation. Upon setup, typical objects can be scanned in 5 minutes or less. The Go!Scan operates with a white light (LED), which is great for capturing organic shapes in full HD color. This scanner particularly excels at capturing both shapes and textures simultaneously, for example colors, skin tones, fabric and material patterns, and more. White light is also safer for the scanning of humans than laser units. A big benefit of this scanner is that it is self-positioning, meaning it typically doesn’t require targets for setup. Simply point and shoot and you can even move both the part and the scanner during scanning. It has an accuracy of up to 0.1 mm and its file outputs are compatible with all your popular CAD software. Some popular applications include human body and facial scanning, heritage preservation, arts & architecture, computer graphics, and visual effects. But it can also perform applications for design & manufacturing, reverse engineering, and [...]