08-18-2020, 10:42 PM
Oh boy, if I'm your "guru" we're both in trouble!
The STL format was developed for making stereolithography models (remember them?). The part volume is filled with tiny tetrahedrons as I recall. Nowadays it's used for 3D printing. As far as I'm aware, .the STL format is not preferred for FEA meshing or for generating tool paths
I've read that LIDAR (laser) scanners commonly output .STL files as well.
Software for converting from .STL to .STEP can be purchased.
The STL format was developed for making stereolithography models (remember them?). The part volume is filled with tiny tetrahedrons as I recall. Nowadays it's used for 3D printing. As far as I'm aware, .the STL format is not preferred for FEA meshing or for generating tool paths
I've read that LIDAR (laser) scanners commonly output .STL files as well.
Software for converting from .STL to .STEP can be purchased.