topic File format for manufacturing in Fusion Support Forum

File format for manufacturing

anisamariam180 — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 14:20:15 GMT

Hi all, Any suggestions on how best to convert STEP file from Fusion360 to an X-T file or IGS file? I am working with an injection mold supplier that says they cannot use my STEP file from Fusion360 because it contains "too many surfaces". These are the normal triangular surfaces from the mesh. The supplier said X-T or IGS file will work fine, since they don't have this mesh. They also said an STP file is fine, but it should be a solid body without mesh surfaces. Any help on this would be much appreciated!

Re: File format for manufacturing

HughesTooling — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 15:44:39 GMT

Sounds like the problem is you've converted a mesh so any file format will be a problem. Can you share a screenshot of the part?

Mark

Re: File format for manufacturing

anisamariam180 — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 15:57:26 GMT

Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes, I created the STEP in fusion360 by first importing STL mesh, and then going through export process to make it a STEP file. I'm not clear on how to make it a solid body (no mesh), prior to exporting as step. Attached is a portion of the STEP file image, which shows it still has mesh. Appreciate any help!

Re: File format for manufacturing

HughesTooling — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 16:03:14 GMT

That just will not work, all you've done in convert a mesh file into a faceted sold model. You will probably need to recreate the model from scratch, although Fusion can convert simple meshes to surface models it's very limited.

Mark

Re: File format for manufacturing

HughesTooling — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 16:09:21 GMT

If you have a commercial licence of Fusion it has options for Prismatic and organic conversions but they are limited and I doubt they will work well enough for mould making. PS don't attach pictures, just paste them into your messages from the clipboard.

Re: File format for manufacturing

anisamariam180 — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 16:22:20 GMT

ok Thanks. For the convert mesh process, I have tried to use the prismatic feature in Fusion360, but it fails. I think the model is too complex. So I used "faceted" option, but as you said, this does not generate the solid model needed. I was informed by my injection mold supplier that they can accept X-T file format. Any suggestion on how to covert my STEP or STL into X-T? Much appreciated.

Re: File format for manufacturing

TheCADWhisperer — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 16:30:20 GMT

@anisamariam180
Changing file format will not correct the fact that the geometry is not modeled correctly.
Can you Attach your original file here.

Re: File format for manufacturing

HughesTooling — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 17:14:35 GMT

What program created the mesh you're using? Does it have any other export formats that are not mesh based? As @TheCADWhisperer stated using different formats to export from Fusion is not going to fix your problem. If you only have a mesh to work from then you'll have to remodel in Fusion.

Mark

Re: File format for manufacturing

anisamariam180 — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 17:48:52 GMT

Good point from both of you. My file was created tinkercad, and exported as STL. Should I export in another format (like OBJ, SVG, GLB)? Those formats are available in tinkercad for exporting.