Delcam has released a much easier to use version of its STL file repair software, Trifix. This is needed mainly by rapid prototyping bureaux to ensure high quality RP models but can also be used to repair triangle files for analysis software. The new release gives improved verification and repair of these files, and also incorporates a new interface and more automated operation.

'Most users are now capable of generating satisfactory STL files from models built within a single CAD system,' commented Delcam's Product Manager, Chris Lawrie.

'However, there are still problems with data that has been translated between systems, for example when the product designer and the rapid prototyping bureau use different software.

Typical problems that Trifix can solve in these cases include gaps in the model or overlapping surfaces.' 'CAD models generated from digitised data can also suffer from these problems and Trifix can equally ensure that high quality prototypes can be produced from this type of data.' Trifix also allows a range of other common problems with STL files to be rectified.

Duplicate triangles and nodes can be removed, so can triangles with less than a given height, intersecting triangles, and triangles that have more than one other triangle sharing an edge.

Increased 'intelligence' within the software means that typically 80% of problems within a file can be solved automatically.

Unlike most other automated healing systems, Trifix does not apply the same tolerance throughout the model.

Instead, it begins working with a low tolerance and solves as many problems as it can.

It then automatically increases the tolerance in a series of steps and tackles the remaining problems as the tolerance increases.

This approach ensures that the underlying surfaces within the model will be changed as little as possible