MakerGear Forum

As shown in the picture, I want to print these two parts as a single part without any gap between them. I tried to manually align them, but there is always a small gap between them, which causes a hole in the print preview. Should I use other software to merge them first? I only have the STL files for each part. I am new to 3D modeling, so any help is highly appreciated!

DrRobot wrote:there is always a small gap between them

Most likely, the original model includes a slight clearance between the tongue and the groove to ensure a proper slide fit after printing.

You can probably use something like MeshMixer to blend the two parts, although maintaining the intended alignment may be tricky.

Alternatively, print them separately and glue the parts together, using a flat surface to ensure proper alignment. Net, that may be less hassle than modifying the STL files...

WHich is the problem with getting only the STL files (or getting the solid model, but not the spendy CAD software that produced them): you can't modify the "source code", no matter what license applies to the model.

ednisley wrote:

DrRobot wrote:there is always a small gap between them

WHich is the problem with getting only the STL files (or getting the solid model, but not the spendy CAD software that produced them): you can't modify the "source code", no matter what license applies to the model.

Thanks! I tried to merge the surfaces in Rhino, but I simply couldn't select any surface of the model, I guess that's the license problem you talked about:(

What's the part? If you are handy, I would just redraw the whole thing in your CAD of choice, it is a pretty simple part. You can use the originals as a template for a 2D sketch, then extrude it the appropriate distance. If you are handy in a different way, you could use meshmixer to draw out the adjoining faces on the tongue just a little, then merge them together. But I tend to rage quit meshmixer shortly after trying to do anything with it.

These are the parts for the InMoov robot. I agree it's hard to use Meshmixer...for now I'll just print them separately and glue them together, seems that's the easiest way to go. Thanks for the reply!

Try Meshlab. Simply use “Import Mesh” to open all your .stl files. Navigate to Filters -> Layer and Attribute Management -> Flatten Visible Layers’ Click “apply” Export Mesh as… -> merged.stl - Download Meshlab here, and yes, it crashes a lot, thats why its called Crashlab: http://meshlab.sourceforge.net

Ingo

Kulturfolger wrote:Try Meshlab. Simply use “Import Mesh” to open all your .stl files. Navigate to Filters -> Layer and Attribute Management -> Flatten Visible Layers’ Click “apply” Export Mesh as… -> merged.stl - Download Meshlab here, and yes, it crashes a lot, thats why its called Crashlab: http://meshlab.sourceforge.net

Ingo

Thanks! I just tried Meshlab. I was able to align those two parts and save to a single mesh, however there is still a small gap since these two parts won't fit exactly.