Turbocad v Shapeways a possible mismatch

[geoff_nicholls]

Well, I went ahead with my test print, and it came back with facets, as I suspected it might. I can smooth it down, but this plastic is really tough. From uploading the CAD file to receiving the finished object, today, took 10 days, so I'm minded to use Shapeways again. the boiler is 134mm long (it's for a gauge 3 loco) The print, including postage cost £66.
The first photo shows the surface of the object. It is not completely smooth.

 

[Bill Bedford]

Two things are going on here. One is that your CAD drawing needs to have the resolution increased so that you don't get the threepeny-bit effect on the curved parts. Turbo-CAD uses poly lines for curves instead of true curves so the number of lines that make up a curve has to be increased until they merge into each other.
Secondly, they surface finish is typical for SLS nylon. (Shapeways' WSF) and the only practical way of dealing with it is to use a filler paint and sand it down until you get an acceptable surface.

 

[Dan Randall]

Turbo-CAD uses poly lines for curves instead of true curves so the number of lines that make up a curve has to be increased until they merge into each other.

Hi Bill

Do you happen to know which TurboCAD commands will achieve this please? I think I found out how to do it a very long time ago, but have since forgotten!


Regards

Dan