Move 3D Models Among CAD/CAM Systems with Improved CADfix Tool

Moving and translating models among various CAD/CAM and manufacturing systems is a nearly constant headache for many engineers. Engineering CAD tools provide great 3D modeling capability, but converting those models to the formats required by computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools and other manufacturing systems can be challenging.

Engineers often need to make minor changes to CAD models on a range of systems and formats and the time and effort to make changes to the source model and then redeploy the model to every system can be significant. With software such as CADfix, engineers can easily move files between different systems and modify and revise the deployed model without having to regenerate support for all systems from the source.

Engineers can import models in any of several file formats using CADfix. After the model is loaded into CADfix, users can make repairs or modifications to the model, change resolution and accuracy, perform analysis and translation, and then adapt and export the model in a range of formats.

Engineers can import a CAD model into CADfix and make repairs, modifications and translations, and then adapt the file to a different format to port it to a different system.

Additive Manufacturing

CADfix enables users to slice curved facets for precise boundaries in 3D printing. (Image courtesy of ITI.)

CADfix offers significant capability for additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing often require model simplification, translation, adaptation and redesign. CADfix additive manufacturing and 3D printing tools include STL file creation, high accuracy slice generation, a part scan-to-source model comparison and component placement tools.

STL Files

The new release includes tools to repair and export STL files. (Image courtesy of ITI.)

Users have full control over STL file creation with CADfix. Selecting minimum settings controls chord deviation from the original CAD model to produce a compact STL file for fast viewing and packaging. Selecting high-quality STL output generates an analysis style equilateral triangle mesh where the user controls facet length, turn angle and growth rate.

Users can import faceted model representations in other formats from other CAD tools and sources, reverse-engineer those models into general CAD BREP models and then export an STL file. CADfix automatically segments and trims regions in the model to create the BREP CAD geometry and topology. Users can modify these features, export the model to a CAD format for design analysis, or export the model to a CAE format for meshing analysis.

Morphing

A deformed geometry as a result of morphing to reflect CAE results. (Image courtesy of ITI.)

The CAD model can be accurately deformed to match displacements resulting from CAE. CADfix generates precise model geometry that can be exported back to CAD as a model or back to CAE for further analysis. Engineers can use CAE analysis to determine the deformed shape of a model under load, convert the deformed model to a CAD model, and then perform secondary CAE analysis on the deformed model.

Engineers can learn more about ITI’s recently released version 11 of CADfix at the product webpage: http://www.iti-global.com/cadfix.