WHAT IS AN STL FILE?

WHAT IS AN STL FILE?

A commonly asked question we hear at Ogle, is “what is an STL file?”.  We understand that for many of our prospective clients the term may sound like an alien concept, but it is really quite simple and is an important aspect for many of our projects.

For 3D printing, file formats input the vital data that outlines the layouts of a three-dimensional object. Normally generated by a computer design program, the files used for the outlines are simply extensions on the file format, and an STL file is one of them.

‘STL’ stands for Stereolithography and is a popular file format of data for a prototype due to its compatibility with many software and CAD (computer aided design) packages.

An STL file is basically your CAD model with all of its surfaces represented by triangles, so a simple box shape can be made with just 12 triangles & a curve will need to be made of many triangles, effectively turning the curve into many small flats. Each triangle has 3 points which give it position in space, an outside normal & an inside normal, which describe its orientation within the model.

Its importance lies in the fact that as a file, it contains the workflow and data that will be used to create the physical object. It is therefore often a vital moment in a project to get this file correct ready for printing. Ogle’s knowledge and experience in the industry mean we are here to help at every step of a prototyping project.

Once the file is complete, the Stereolithography machine processes the .stl file and builds (prints) a 3D part directly proportional to the data supplied. The process employs a solid-state laser, the beam of which traces the required shape across the surface of a vat of liquid photopolymer held in the build chamber of the machine, thereby solidifying the layer of material it touches.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR STL FILE BEFORE SENDING FOR 3D PRINTING

As we have touched on the importance of an STL file and what it is, it makes sense to move onto the importance of checking an STL file prior to printing.

Click below to learn more about the process of STL file making and what is important to check and include in it prior to printing.

What is an STL file