Hi all, I want to print out dimensioned drawings of some of the 3-d parts in the Mendel set. I thought a simple way of doing this would be to import the .stl into Sketchup and then add dimensions. I have no problems importing either the STL or the DXF (the example is the Mendel Vertex). The problem is however that it comes up as around 24500 mm long. This is obviously wrong. The same happens whether I import the STL or the DXF. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? Thanks, Craig https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49524#msg-49524 Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:15:41 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49634#msg-49634 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49634#msg-49634 Duh, I should have made myself clearer :-). Do you think it will be a problem for a RepStrap, i.e for printing any of the Mendel parts?

Sorry, I was being a twit. 8-)

If you're up for a research project, once you're up and printing, you can always have your machine self-bootstrap by printing its own upgrades; go from a screw-drive to a belt drive, etc. etc. This may be more fun/work than printing a Mendel.]]> SebastienBailard 3D Design tools Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:20:04 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49633#msg-49633 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49633#msg-49633 -------------------------------------------------------
> The tallest Mendel part is only about 35mm high
> (x-carriage-lower).

Thanks Nophead. I guessed it would be enough, so I have gone ahead with my RepStrap last night. I'll be blogging about it and will post in the appropriate forum later.]]> CraigRK 3D Design tools Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:42:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49573#msg-49573 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49573#msg-49573 nophead 3D Design tools Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:39:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49570#msg-49570 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49570#msg-49570 -------------------------------------------------------
> but only gives about 90mm travel as opposed to the
> Mendel spec of 140mm. Do you think this will be a
> problem?
>
> Welllll, depends on the size of the stuff you're
> printing. :)

Duh, I should have made myself clearer :-). Do you think it will be a problem for a RepStrap, i.e for printing any of the Mendel parts?

As indicated by the reason for this post in the first place, I don't have a good handle on how large the Mendel parts are, so don't know the size of RepStrap needed.]]> CraigRK 3D Design tools Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:09:03 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49569#msg-49569 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49569#msg-49569 but only gives about 90mm travel as opposed to the Mendel spec of 140mm. Do you think this will be a problem?

Welllll, depends on the size of the stuff you're printing. :)]]> SebastienBailard 3D Design tools Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:06:26 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49558#msg-49558 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49558#msg-49558
Thanks I will experiment further and also look into STEP. Regardless of where I go with my RepStrap I want to resolve this issue.

Thanks,
Craig]]> CraigRK 3D Design tools Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:59:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49557#msg-49557 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49557#msg-49557
Going off topic for this list (3d software), but I guess I probably will end up going this way as it is much simpler.

One of my other plans is a CNC mill anyway so the experience will stand me in good stead (although I don't expect to re-use any of the parts).

I have a fantastic pre-made z-axis from a computer monitor stand. It uses 2 'drawer slides' and has a gravity/weight conpensating mechanism, but only gives about 90mm travel as opposed to the Mendel spec of 140mm. Do you think this will be a problem? It will save me a little effort. I also happen to have two sets of larger slides from an scrapped flatpack filing cabinet.

Looks like the way to go.....]]> CraigRK 3D Design tools Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:58:49 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49531#msg-49531 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49531#msg-49531 reprap.svn.sourceforge.net] , i.e. [reprap.svn.sourceforge.net] ?


Edit fixed the link.]]> Traumflug 3D Design tools Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:45:01 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49530#msg-49530 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49530#msg-49530
If you're planning on machining or woodworking a Mendel, I'd suggest making a WolfStrap instead:
[reprap.org]

Smaller fastener count, less material processing, etc. And drop-dead sexy. :D

Regarding files, did you try these:
[reprap.org]]]> SebastienBailard 3D Design tools Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:37:14 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49528#msg-49528 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49528#msg-49528
Thanks for the quick reply. I didn't know about STL being measurement unit agnostic. I guess I need to find a part for which I accurately know one of the measurements and then work out the factor. As even dividing by 25.4 as you suggest, the vertex piece still comes out at c. 1000mm long (I took the longest dimension). I would that this part is no more than 100mm at the most.

Do you know why the DXF import does the same? Is it also agnostic to the measurement units?

Thanks,
Craig]]> CraigRK 3D Design tools Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:22:01 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49527#msg-49527 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49527#msg-49527 Traumflug 3D Design tools Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:16:03 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49524#msg-49524 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?80,49524,49524#msg-49524
I want to print out dimensioned drawings of some of the 3-d parts in the Mendel set. I thought a simple way of doing this would be to import the .stl into Sketchup and then add dimensions.

I have no problems importing either the STL or the DXF (the example is the Mendel Vertex). The problem is however that it comes up as around 24500 mm long. This is obviously wrong. The same happens whether I import the STL or the DXF.

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?

Thanks,
Craig]]> CraigRK 3D Design tools Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:42:40 -0400