Open Edges?

[Mooby Geenk]

I'm new here so i don't know if anyone can help, but I'm 16 and in my high school preengineering class we are making 3d cars that we print out with a machine and race them. I've spent about 6 months working on mine and when i went to print it out it says it can't print because there are 4 open edges. I don't know what to do and i don't want all that time to be wasted so can anyone help me fix this? Thanks for the help provided.

 

[Mihail]

Maybe my english is not enoutgh to understand your problem. Can youprovide more informations? Use for that SW's language like PARTS, ASSEMBLY, DRAWINGS ...

Good luck !


Mihail
Edited by: Mihail

 

[ttraser]

send me the file to look at.. .


[email protected]


When you state you try to Print. Print a picture? What version of Solidworks are you currently using? Is it a student version?


The machine you are printing to is a sla, fdm, sls, ??? Are you trying to create a stl file?


good luck.

 

[Mooby Geenk]

I guess one problem could be is i don't really know anything about what i'm using, just kind of how to use it.


When we print it i almost positive that we change it to a stl and print out the 3d object on this huge machine. I think the name was Dimension or something. When i googled "dimension 3d printer" it looks a lot like the pictures.


I'm at home right now so i can't get the file for you but its the halo 3 warthog(hopefully you know what i'm talking about). When i try to print it, it says 4 open edges and has a red line close to the front of the vehicle. I would say its just along the whole front of the car on the hood.
Edited by: Mooby Geenk

 

[Mooby Geenk]

I found out a couple of things today. I'm using solidworks 2007 SP3.1 and we are trying to use a Dimension SST 768 to print out our cars.


Right now thats all the information i have. If you have any other questions just ask them and I'll try to get the answers.


If anyone can help please do. I need this car by next week so i'm in a hurry. Thanks

 

[mjcole_ptc]

Nice Project I'm sure you're looking forward to a nice printed model

First Off check your System Options and Set the Color for the Surfaces, Open Edges to something easily visible bright red or Green or whatever you choose. Look on your model for these. Your model as long as it shows as a solid body should be fine.

Then try increasing the Quality of the STL file in the Save as STL options.
Try importing these STL files into a new SolidWorks part to check for errors in your output files.

Import the created STL file into SolidWorks using the Solid Body option if possible in 2007. In 2008 when you select an STL file you see an Options button appear for STL type it defaults to graphics which creates a nice picture but contains no geometry.

When you do the inport use the Import Diagnostics tool to check for any faulty surfaces or gaps that would create open edges.

That should show you gaps or problems in the STL file. You may also save the body as a Parasolid or IGES unparameterized body and import those to look for errors that occur on export.

Michael

 

[Mooby Geenk]

thanks i'll try that tomorrow at school.

 

[Mooby Geenk]

I'm in class right now and still no idea on what to do. I tried doing what you said mjcole but i can't see anything and i'm not even sure if i'm doing it right? The more that i think about it if i turn the whole thing one color and one little section doesn't change color could that be an open edge?

I found out today that i need this to be done by Monday and i don't see that happening.

What are open edges anyway? Please can anyone help

Any ideas are welcome i'm pretty desperate


Edited by: Mooby Geenk

 

[Mooby Geenk]

I'm not that smart but i figured out how to color my open edges red and i still can't find them. So, tomorrow i'm going to try and post my project on this thread and hope someone can find the problem before tuesday.