How do I send files?

You can send files by email to parts@rapidpsi.com
For large files (over 5MB), you can send them through FTP:
Domain: ftp.rapidpsi.com
Username: upload@rapidpsi.com
Password: uploadpart

Or you can mail them by CD, Disk, or Flash drive to:
Rapid PSI
1367 S. Anna
Wichita, KS 67209

What file type’s do you need to make a part?

• .stp Step files
• .x_t Parasolid files
• .igs Iges files
• .model CATIA V4
• .CatPart CATIA V5
• .stl Stereolithography file

We prefer you send a .stp or .x_t file if you are not familiar with exporting a good .stl file. It is very important to know the correct way to export a .stl file because the way you export the .stl will determine the quality of the part that is produced. To learn how to export a good .stl file please refer to the section below labeled Creating a .STL file

What are .STL files?

The .STL (Stereolithography) file is the standard file type used by the Rapid Prototyping industry. A .STL is a triangulated representation of a CAD (Computer Aided Design) model; simply put it is a mesh of triangles wrapped around a CAD model.

What is the importance of a good .STL file?

To receive a good smooth model from an .STL file you must first know how to export a .STL correctly. This is done by adjusting the Chord height, Chord Tolerance (deviation), and Angle Tolerance (Angular Control). These options will change the number of triangles the model file has, therefore affecting the resolution (faceting) of the model. The resolution determines the coarseness or smoothness of a curved surface on the model. If the model file has few triangles for a circle shaped model, that model will look more like an octagon then a circle.

Creating an .STL file.

The following are general guidelines taken from the Internet to help assist you in producing a good useable .STL file. Some of the information may be outdated so we recommend that you refer to your CAD user’s manual for more information. Watch the file size, the average .stl file size is around 5MB. If your output file exceeds 10 MB, lower your part resolution (make chord height larger).

Your design must be a three-dimensional solid object to output an .STL file.

AutoCAD (Versions: R14-2000i)

• Be sure the model is in positive space
• At the command prompt type "FACETRES"
• Set FACETRES BETWEEN 1 &10. (1 Being low resolution and 10 high resolution for .STL Triangles)
• Next, at the command prompt type "STLOUT"
• Select Objects
• Choose "Y" for Binary
• Choose Filename

IronCAD

• Right Click on the part
• Part Properties > Rendering
• Set chord height to .001
• File > Export
• Choose .STL

ProE

• File > Export > Model (or File > Save a Copy)
• Set type to .STL
• Set chord height to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value.
• Set Angle Control to 1
• Choose File Name
• OK

ProE Wildfire

• File > Save a Copy > Model
• Change type to .STL (*.stl)
• Set Chord Height to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value.
• Set Angle Control to 1
• OK

SolidEdge

• File > Save As
• Set Save As Type to .STL
• Options
• Set Conversion Tolerance to 0.001in or 0.0254mm
• Set Surface Plane Angle to 45.00
• Save

SolidWorks

• File > Save As
• Set Save As Type to .STL
• Options > Resolution > Fine > OK
• Save

Unigraphics

• File > Export > Rapid Prototyping
• Set Output type to Binary
• Set Triangle Tolerance to 0.0025
• Set Adjacency Tolerance to 0.12
• Set Auto Normal Gen to On
• Set Normal Display to Off
• Set Triangle Display to On