3D print model preparation
Preparing scan, CAD or design files for 3D printing: mesh repair, watertight models, wall thickness, splitting into parts and scaling.
Not every 3D model is ready to print. Meshes produced by scanning contain holes, noise and overlapping surfaces; models made for visualisation may have zero-thickness walls; and CAD files may be exported at the wrong scale. Such files cause print failures and waste material and time. Model preparation fixes these problems before printing.
Topoqraf AZ checks and repairs the mesh: holes are closed, inverted faces are corrected, the model is turned into a single watertight body, and the triangle count is optimised without losing detail where needed. Minimum wall thickness is ensured for the chosen printing technology, large models are split into parts that fit the build volume, and pins or keys are added for assembly.
For resin printing, drain holes are added to hollow models; for FDM printing, an optimal print orientation is recommended. If you need a 3D printed copy of an existing object, we scan it first and then prepare it for printing. The result is delivered in STL or 3MF format, and we can also carry out the printing on request.
When you need it
- Preparing 3D scans for printing
- Adapting visualisation models for printing
- Splitting large models into parts
- Making replicas of existing objects
- Parts for architectural models
What's included
- Checking the file and detecting errors
- Repairing the mesh and making it watertight
- Ensuring wall thickness
- Scaling and splitting into parts
- Adding assembly features
- Print orientation recommendations
How we work
- Receiving the file or object
- Agreeing print technology and size
- Checking and repairing the model
- Delivering print-ready files
- Printing on request
Deliverables
- Print-ready STL or 3MF files
- Split model with assembly diagram
- Print setting recommendations
