Modules

ICEM Stereo Lithography (STL) Interface

Output Rapid Prototyping data directly from within ICEM DDN
Stereo lithography is a computer-aided prototyping (CAP) product that lets a design engineer quickly construct a three-dimensional model using a stereo lithography apparatus (SLA). The SLA input file that ICEM generates consists of three-sided facets and their corresponding facet normals. You can transfer this data to an SLA workstation and convert the data into a series of layers representing the part to be built. With this information, parameters are set to adjust for laser output, material properties, and other special building characteristics. The part is then built by drawing each successive layer on the surface of the photosensitive polymer.

Rapid Prototyping data can be created from any surface or solids geometry. Data is output in the defacto standard Stereo Lithography (STL) file format.

ICEM DDN approximates curved surfaces (cylinders, spheres, and so forth) by using a number of facets or polygons. The larger the number of facets, the more closely the surface is represented, and the smoother the curve on the finished part.