[HELP!] Convert Mesh to Solid Request

[Anonymous]

Hey guys, I need some help. BAD. I only have DesignSpark Mechanical & I can only export out in the mesh format. My computer is old & outdated, so Fusion 360 or any other Autodesk doesn't work properly on my laptop. FreeCAD doesn't work properly either. They won't even let me download Solidworks for some reason. Little guys like me always get overshadowed & get left w/ crap software. I don't see why we have to request a quote & provide company info when I own no company. Just a person who wants to use 3D programs & make machinable parts w/o all the overpriced BS. I am also broke, hence why I am only using free software.

I cannot spend $100-500+ on 3D CAD & conversion software/products. I need someone to convert my .obj mesh files to a solid. Since I will be trying to get my part milled out at Xometry.com, I will attach a photo of their supported file extensions used for CNC operations. At the moment, DesignSpark only lets me export 3D printing/mesh supported files. Their add-on for solid conversions is $500+ & they won't let me create an American account. (They are based overseas). The program "CAD Exchanger" gives me a blank screen. (even when I run it as administrator) it may have to do w/ the fact that my laptop has no graphics card (only crappy Intel integrated graphics). Or, it may be a CPU problem.

The laptop I'm using is a Toshiba Tecra A11 I've recently bought of of the Mercari app btw. Old but has Windows 7 installed.

I've been literally pulling my hair out searching for a free online mesh to solid converter. There's always a catch. Yes, I can convert to the needed file.... BUT! I can only keyword: UPLOAD a certain type that my program can't save as/export to or I have to pay a premium! Or I have to be some python programming wizard who uses CMD (I'm not an expert at this lol) who has to type in a prompt & edit files. Yeah, not happening. At least anytime soon! LOL! Please, HELP! **files below**

*keyboard out the window & computer smashed LUL! :,(

Xometry supported files:

Supported files: .step, .sldprt, .x_b, .x_t, .3dxml, .catpart, .prt, & .sat

If you can convert to multiple of the supported files, that'd be great!

DesignSpark Mechanical .obj mesh files (millimeters NOT meters): http://www.mediafire.com/folder/yt0df8lo952b8/DesignSpark_Mechanical_.obj_%26_.stl_(Mesh)_Files

Please upload converted solid files to this link: http://www.mediafire.com/folder/5erx4r3pjca6c/3D_Mesh_Converted_to_Solid_Files

Thanks! 😄

[HughesTooling · Accepted solution]

Even if you get a mesh converted to a brep there's a good change they will not want to work with it because it is still basically a triangulated faceted model. Any machiny from the model will be faceted and setting up becomes a pain, round holes will not be round etc.etc. Your only option really is to get the extension for Designspark or start again with some other software.

Mark

[TrippyLighting]

I only looked at two of the .obj files, but the geometry is so simple that it would take less than 30 minutes o re-design these in Fusion 360, which is free for your purposes.

I agree with @HughesTooling that "converting" .obj of these mechanical parts into solid models makes little sense.

[chrisplyler]

From left to right: green = your obj mesh, orange = a brep conversion of it, and blue = my solid model version of it. That kind of geometry takes literally two minutes to model in F360.

[Anonymous]

As I stated above, I have an old outdated laptop that does not run Fusion 360 & most other software correctly. That's why I've requested for someone else to do it. Plus, I'm no expert w/ this stuff. I'm a beginner...

[chrisplyler]

I understand. Perhaps in the future you will be able to earn more resources for yourself. I wish you the best.

[HughesTooling]

Are there any Forums for DesignSpark where you can ask for help with saving your files to a CAD format. Asking here is asking a bit much because just converting a mesh to a brep is not going to help you, you'd need someone to recreate in Fusion as proper solid models. 

Rather than investing $500.00 on the add in to allow export to STP, IGS etc. you'd be better of getting a bit better notebook or desktop PC to run Fusion.

Mark

[TrippyLighting]

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I might add that Inconel is rather expensive and getting relatively large thin-walled parts made that require a lot of material removal also isn't exactly cheap.

[chrisplyler]

I believe some alloy specifications are able to be cast. At least one is able to be 3D printed and laser sintered. But yeah...can't afford $100 but wants to have large one-off inconel parts produced by a third party. Very interesting situation.

[TrippyLighting]

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@chrisplyler wrote:

I believe some alloy specifications are able to be cast. At least one is able to be 3D printed and laser sintered. But yeah...can't afford $100 but wants to have large one-off inconel parts produced by a third party. Very interesting situation.

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Yep, but if you don't have the money for a basic computer able to run Fusion 360 you'll sure as hell have a hard time paying for the upfront cost of casting, let alone DLP printed parts 😉
Also, for tolerances usual in metal work both, castings and 3D printed stuff usually still have to be machined afterwards.

[chrisplyler]

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@TrippyLighting wrote:

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for tolerances usual in metal work both, castings and 3D printed stuff usually still have to be machined afterwards.

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Oh sure, but there might be a lot less material removal required. Casting costs would be way out of line for 1-off parts, but 3D printing with some finish machining might be the best option, depending on the part design.

[Anonymous]

It's one of those situations where I just want the blueprint/3D model taken care of, then save up cash for it to be machined. Kind of like a wish list.

[chrisplyler]

I only downloaded and looked at the one part (the one you see in my previous picture). How complicated are the others? Can you do dimensioned technical drawings of them with pencil/paper?

PS - How is it that you can't save up for a $500 computer, but you can save up for production which will cost a lot more?