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rthapa1-Visitor
1-Visitor
April 12, 2016
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How to apply thickness to imported surface model (stl,obj or any format) and make it solid for 3D printing in creo 3.0 Parametric? Help!

  • April 12, 2016
  • 1 reply
  • 15664 views

I use educational version creo 3.0 parametric.

I have an orthotics project going on that we want to try 3d printed model on broken wrist. I used 123D catch to 3D scan my hand, I downloaded stl, obj file of my hand from 123D catch. I removed undesired materials of the model in Meshmixer and exported to creo 3.0

Now, I want to increase the thickness of the surface model exported from meshmixer and meshlab.

I couldn't make any editing in the software (no thickness applied). I want to make the model solid by applying 5mm thickness.

But, my friend could apply thickness to this surface model in solidworks. What he did was:

import into solidworks > copy surface (move by 5mm in desired direction) > select outer loop of first surface > extrude perimeter 5mm (up to other surface) > knit surfaces and form solid > export as stl file (Now, its useful for printing)

I have attached the 3d scan file edited in meshmixer, surface model of scanned hand(ready to export in creo)


I would be very thankful if any one could help me with suggestions!

Cheers,

Thanks!


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Best answer by TobiasLarsson

the "extrude up to a surface" would work with your model.

To make a surf ontop of your surf ain´t that hard if you know Isdx, but could also be done using curve thru points and Boundary blends. Just use your import as a base for modelling, and attach your curves to it when making the new surf.

//Tobias

1 reply

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TobiasLarsson12-Amethyst
12-Amethyst
April 12, 2016

First i would suggest that you use a step for importing in creo. If the program you are using cant export step, then just google for a converter that will translate your wrl to stp. Then in creo, if you are lucky... you can use "thicken" and your done!. (or offset and use the option "create side surf" and then "solidify".

Otherwise , if you just want a "printable" (is that a word?) model, then you either create a extrude from a datumplane that use the option "up to surface" for determing the depth of the extrude (i.o.w extrude up to your imported surf and you got yourself a solid. then create some cuts to remove unwanted material. This will give you a rough model , whit the "right surface" on one side...  (is that enough? or do you need both sides of your import?)

If thicken cant be used, then what i would prefer to do is to make a surf , using isdx or maybe freestyle , on top of the original surf and just make it as close as possible and then use this surf for thicken. Or create the surf and offset it . Then connect the imported surf, and your offset surf using boundaryblend, merge and make it solid. (then, again "one side" is your scan file, but maybe thats close enough?)

Maybe there are other ways to do it ?

//Tobias

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    rthapa1-VisitorAuthor
    1-Visitor
    April 12, 2016

    Thankyou Tobias!!!

    I am trying it. Here is my stp file. Can you please try it out for me!!! Coz its for medical purpose, its one surface needs to be smooth. This is to 3d print and test in my hand. If successful, we'll try in real life situation (disaster response). For now, its kind of a R&D.

    I have attached my stp file

    T
    TobiasLarsson12-AmethystAnswer
    12-Amethyst
    April 14, 2016

    the "extrude up to a surface" would work with your model.

    To make a surf ontop of your surf ain´t that hard if you know Isdx, but could also be done using curve thru points and Boundary blends. Just use your import as a base for modelling, and attach your curves to it when making the new surf.

    //Tobias

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