Splitting and STL Files

[emailgaryw]

Hello Fusion 360 community! I could use your help. 

I split my model into 2 equal parts body1 and body2. I'm unable to 3d print body1 nor body2 using the split function. The printer only lays down 2 or 3 layers and stops.

I think I know the solution but I don't have access to the printer at this time. What I was doing was hiding one of the bodies and then

making an STL file by right clicking on the component name and saving the remaining body as an STL file. 

I think that I should have right clicked on "body1" or "body2", after hiding one of the bodies, and then saved that half as an STL file.

I've included an f3d file to visually explain what I'm talking about.

Thanks for any and all help in advance.

Gary

[laughingcreek]

How do the models look in your slicer software?  I suspect your files are fine, and that the problem is your slicer (or the printer).  You don't even halve to hide a body before you export.  Just right mouse click on the body in the browser and select "save as stl".  Doesn't mater what's visible, just the body will save out.

[etfrench · Accepted solution]

There is no need to hide one of the bodies.  Just select it (either in the Browser or double clicking on it) and 'Save as STL'.  If the printer stops printing in the middle of a print, I'd suspect the printer was at fault.

[emailgaryw]

Thanks for your quick response!

I'm using KSSlicer and my STL looks fine when I slice it. I'm using a Polyprinter 229. I've tried a different printer with the same result. This is the first time that I've had this problem so, I've concluded that it has to do with the way I'm saving my split images as an STL file.

I think what I'm doing wrong is that I'm not right clicking on one of the bodies and saving as an STL. I'm hiding one of the bodies and then right clicking on the component

and then saving it as an STL file.

Tks,

Gary

[laughingcreek]

Have you examined your model in a mesh editing software (like mesh mixer).  That will tell you for sure if there is a problem with your model.  The steps your indicating you took to export the model really shouldn't mater.

When you tried it on the second printer, did you use the same slicer?

You can attach your stl if you want some one to look at it.

[emailgaryw]

Hi,

I did use the same slicer, KSSlicer, both times. I'm relatively new at using Fusion 360 and also 3d printing.

This is the first time that I've encountered this problem.

I've attached an STL of the left side of my model.

Thanks again,

Gary

[laughingcreek]

Did you do a layer by layer preview of the gcode in KISSlicer?  I forget how KISS works, so i can't walk you through that, but it does do it. 

I'll check your model file when I'm at the home computer later.

[laughingcreek · Accepted solution]

File checked out ok.  Here's what the preview looks like on mine (I'm using simplify 3d)

[emailgaryw]

Thanks for testing my STL.

I belong to DallasMakerSpace and so I'll go there tomorrow, Friday, and give it another try. 

My file looked fine in KSSlicer. It just seems odd that it would fail on 2 different printers.

Maybe Friday will be a better day.  I'll give you an update after I try to print it. 

Thanks,

Gary

[emailgaryw]

Sorry it has taken so long.

Well, I finally got a chance to try and print the split files and was successful!

I've attached a pic of the 2 halves that I printed.

Thanks for all your help!

Gary

[seitmand]

[I am very new to Fusion360, and just saw this post from one month ago]

Let me tell you a solution to a very similar problem which has worked for me.

I have an .STL file which contained an object which needed to be split into two parts - roughly the right 2/3s and the left 2/3s.  Yes, the middle section will belong to both of the new parts.

Using procedures described elsewhere, I:

    [1] turned off the timeline,

    [2] inserted as a mesh the .STL file,

    [3] went to patch mode and modified the mesh to BRep,

    [4] turned the timeline back on and confirmed I was now in model mode,

    [5] using construct  offset planes, I marked the locations to separate the bodies,

    [6] split the bodies.

Now this is the part I like.

    [7] I assembled two New and empty components.

    [8] I then copied and pasted Body 1 and Body 2 into Component 1,

    [9] copy and pasted Body 2 and Body 3 into Component 2.

    [10] I renamed Component 1 to "right-side part", and Component 2 to "left-side part" .  You can rename them into whatever name you want the 3d file to be.

    [11] Using Make 3D print, I selected either "right-side part" or "left-side part" to export to .STL for 3D printing.

Changes are only made to the original bodies (1,2,3) so that they are reflected in all the 3D prints. 

[emailgaryw]

Thanks for your input.

I finally got it working simply by dividing the body into 2 equal parts and then saving each body, separately, as an STL.

Each STL printed perfectly on a 3d printer.

Thanks,

Gary