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I paid for a 3D Modelling engagement and received my design, in a .STL file.

The design is a rock, with an LCD display on one face and a pushbutton on the top. In business a “rock” is an achievable task on the way to a business goal. They are proposed and a date assigned. Our “rock” is a device to keep the agreed upon tasks up front, provide feedback as the scheduled time progresses and reward the user when a task is completed.

The rock must contain the electronics that drive this action. Internally, there is a microprocessor, real time clock, sound processor, storage device, speaker, pushbutton and LCD display. The base has been designed to mount all of these components (except for the display, which has mounting nubs on the shell.)

I had paid for a design. However, it was unsatisfactory, My vendor has disappeared. I have not been able to find someone else to correct the errors in the design and make it suitable for printing. This is not an exhaustive list; I have not reviewed the entire communication chain. I present it as a sample of the problems I face.

  • The pushbutton support is not connected to the main beam
  • The base beams of the pushbutton support consists of three legs. One is not connected to the base.
  • The shell is too thin. At places, it is see-through. It should be solid.
  • The power cord access hole is too small. The desired size was supplied to the designer, who chose to ignore it
  • The mounting holes are way undersized. They could be drilled out with some difficulty, but it makes more sense to me that they should be printed correctly in the first place.

The original opportunity is long gone, but I need to complete the prototype. I am looking for guidance and assistance in accomplishing this “rock”.

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Hey @Don_16,

Feel free to send us an inquiry on our Hub, and we’ll take a look at you model to see what can be done!

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You should make sure that you get the design file in the native format for the CAD software that it was designed in. STEP format also if you want someone else to make modifications in a different CAD program. It is much more difficult, and less accurate to modify a .STL file, although possible. FYI for any future design work you have done.

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Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately, all I have is the .stl file. And the vendor has disappeared from the face of the earth.

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If we work with you on this, we’d remake the files from scratch anyway. Very rarely does it make sense to try to work with someone else’s files unless you absolutely have to, and it’s generally quicker to just start from scratch (in my opinion anyway). As long as you have the original dimensions and requirements, we can work with that.

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I don’t have the original dimensions… I sent the actual device to them and they measured everything - to one degree of success or another. I can reproduce those measurements, I can provide a scratch print, although it became warped because it was so thin. Can you develop a very specific list? I am sending you an inquiry with the .stl file.

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I’d be happy to help you. I’m an electrical engineer and 3D printing specialist. I use Alibre Geomagic Design, a professional design package. Have a look at my website www.i3dgear.com