Manufacturing

Manufacturing is where the design stops being a design and becomes a piece that somebody has to print, cast and finish. The tab is laid out in the order the work actually happens.

Every command here is documented under Manufacturing, which is where the pages these cards link to live. Seven groups, left to right.

Breakdown Settings

• Breakdown SettingsThe costing and process setup the rest of the tab reads from.

Import and Organize

• Import to LayersBring several files in, each one onto its own layer.
• DistributeSpread the models across the build plate without overlaps.
• CopiesMultiply a model into the number of pieces you need to cast.
• Quick CheckA fast pass over the selection looking for what would stop a print.

Repair and Optimize

• Automatic RepairNaked edges, non-manifold geometry and holes fixed in one pass.
  • Repair
• Decimator by ToleranceReduce the polygon count while staying inside a distance tolerance.
• Decimator by PercentageReduce the polygon count by a straight percentage.

Analyze

• ThicknessMeasure wall thickness where you point.
• Show EdgesReveal naked and non-manifold edges, the usual reason an STL fails.
• Global ThicknessA thickness map of the whole piece.
• CheckRhino's validity report on the object.

Resizing

• Ring ResizerChange a ring's size properly, scaling the band without distorting stones and settings.

Sprues

• Designs IdentifierEngrave a reference on each design so it can be told apart after casting.
• Sprue SingleOne sprue for one piece.
• Sprue Multiple CopiesSprue a whole set of copies in one operation.
• Sprue Inner TreeA full tree built from the inside out.
• Sprue Inner BranchesBranches reaching the pieces from inside the tree.
• Sprue External TreeBranches reaching the pieces from outside.
• Sprue CurveRoute the sprue along a curve you draw yourself.
• Sprue External FramesExternal frames holding the pieces on the tree.
• Sprue Cluster TreeA tree that clusters the pieces around the stem.
• Sprue HelixPieces wrapped helically around the stem.
• Sprue SpiralPieces arranged along a spiral around the stem.
• Sprue TreeThe classic casting tree.

Export and Print

• PreloadPrepare the models for export.
• Export from LayersOne file per layer, which is how most bureaus want it.
• Export All in OneEverything to a single file.
• 3D PrintSend the plate straight to your printer's software.
  • Asiga Composer
  • Formlabs PreForm
  • Geomagic Print
  • Photon Workshop
  • B9 Captive
  • Elegoo Chitubox