Open the FreeCAD file containing the Lego piece.Let's convert one of the objects we modeled in the previous chapters, such as the Lego piece (which can be downloaded from the end of the previous chapter). This workbench allows you to handle them fully in FreeCAD. Although working with meshes is not the focus of FreeCAD, when working with 3D modeling, you often need to deal with mesh objects, since their use is very widespread among other applications. This workbench contains, the tools that convert between Part and Mesh objects, several utilities meant to analyze and repair meshes. We need to check that the accuracy degradation stays within acceptable limits.Īll the mesh handling, in FreeCAD, is done by another specific workbench, the Mesh Workbench. However the additional step will introduce some inaccuracies with the original model. Fortunately, converting a solid to a mesh, is very straightforward. So we will need to convert any object we want to 3D print into a mesh first, which the slicer can open. None of the slicers will, at this date, take solid geometry as we produce in FreeCAD as input. But we will see how to export and use these slicers to check that the output is correct. The slicer programs usually offer advanced configuration possibilities that allow tweaking the output exactly for the particularities of your 3D printer.Īctual 3D printing, however, is a too vast subject for this manual. Since many of those printers are home-built, there are often small differences from one to the other. The 3D object is exported to another program (the slicer) which will generate the G-code from the object, by slicing it into thin layers (hence the name.) The G-code is generated for each 2D slice and when all the 2D slices are added together totals the desired 3D object. This is the technique most commonly used for 3D printing. We will now see how to address the third point. When printing in 3D, you must always make sure this loss of quality stays below your minimal requirements.īelow, we will assume that the first two criteria are met, and that by now you are able to produce solid objects with correct dimensions. In any case, some loss of quality of your model will unavoidably occur during the process. The conversion of your models into G-Code can be easy and automatic, or you can also do it manually, with total control over the output. G-code has dozens of different dialects, each machine or vendor usually using its own. Most of them will only understand a machine language called G-Code. No 3D printing or CNC milling system can take FreeCAD files directly.
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