EX.

no: 01
STUDY THE INTERFACE AND BASIC TOOLS IN THE CAD
SOFTWARE

Aim: To study the interface and basic tools in the CAD software.
Understanding the CAD Interface
Most CAD software includes the following components:
1. Menu Bar – Located at the top; includes drop-down menus like File, Edit, View,
Tools, etc.
2. Ribbon/Toolbar – Contains icons for commonly used commands (e.g., Line, Circle,
Extrude).
3. Drawing/Modeling Area – The central workspace where you create and view your
designs.
4. Command Line / Input Box – Found in programs like AutoCAD; allows you to type
commands.
5. View Controls / Navigation Cube – Tools for zooming, rotating, and switching view
angles.
6. Property/Inspector Panel – Displays properties of selected objects (e.g., dimensions,
material).
7. Layers or Feature Tree – Helps organize the model; shows parts/features and their
hierarchy.
Basic Tools in CAD Software
Here are some of the most common tools you’ll encounter:
2D Drawing Tools
 Line – Draw straight lines between two points.
 Circle – Create circles by specifying center and radius/diameter.
 Rectangle – Draw rectangles with two corner points.
 Arc – Draw arcs using various methods (start-middle-end, center-radius, etc.).
 Polyline – Connected line segments that act as one object.
Editing Tools
 Move – Shift objects to a new position.
 Rotate – Spin objects around a base point.
 Scale – Resize objects proportionally.
 Trim/Extend – Modify objects by cutting or lengthening them.
  Offset – Create parallel copies of objects at a set distance.
 Mirror – Create symmetrical copies across a line or plane.
Dimensioning and Annotations
 Dimension – Add measurements to your drawing.
 Text – Add labels or notes.
 Leader – Point to features with annotation.

Fig1.1 CAD Interface

3D Modeling Tools (for 3D CAD software)
 Extrude – Turn 2D shapes into 3D solids.
 Revolve – Rotate a profile around an axis to create a solid.
 Fillet/Chamfer – Round or bevel edges.
 Boolean Operations – Union, subtract, or intersect solids.
Navigation and Viewing Tools
 Zoom – Focus in or out.
 Pan – Move around the drawing without changing zoom.
 Orbit – Rotate around the 3D model.
 Views – Quickly change between front, top, side, and isometric views.

Result:
Thus the interface and basic tools in the CAD software has been studied successfully.
 Ex.no:02
STUDY 3D PRINTER INCLUDING PRINT HEADS, BUILD
ENVELOPE, MATERIALS USED AND RELATED SUPPORT
REMOVAL SYSTEM.

Aim: to study 3D printer including print heads, build envelope, materials used and related
support removal system.
Study:
A 3D printer creates physical objects from digital designs by adding material layer by layer.
Different types of printers use different methods and materials, but they all have common key
components.

Fig 2.1 3D Printer

1.Print Heads (Extruders or Laser Modules)
➤ FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
 Extruder/Hotend:
o Heats up thermoplastic filament to its melting point.

Fig 2.2 Extruders or Laser Modules

o Nozzle sizes vary (usually 0.2 mm – 0.8 mm).
o Some printers have dual extruders for multi-material or support printing.
➤ SLA/DLP (Stereolithography / Digital Light Processing)
 Laser or Projector:
o Cures liquid photopolymer resin using UV light.
o No print head; instead, light is directed across a vat of resin.

Fig 2.3 SLA/DLP

➤ SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)
 Laser System:
o Uses a high-power laser to fuse powdered material.
o No print head movement; uses mirrors or galvanometers to aim the laser.

Fig 2.4 SLS

2. Build Envelope (Build Volume)
 Definition: The maximum size an object can be printed, usually defined in XYZ
dimensions.
 Typical Sizes:
o Desktop FDM: ~220 x 220 x 250 mm
o SLA: ~145 x 145 x 175 mm (Formlabs Form 3)
o Industrial: Up to 1 meter or more in one dimension
Larger build envelopes allow for bigger prints or multiple small parts in one job.

3. Materials Used
3.1 FDM
 PLA: Easy to print, biodegradable.
 ABS: Stronger, but requires controlled temperature.
 PETG: Tough, water-resistant.
 TPU: Flexible material.
 Nylon: Strong and wear-resistant.
3.2 SLA/DLP
 Standard Resin: For prototyping.
 Tough Resin: For functional parts.
 Flexible Resin: Mimics rubber.
 Castable Resin: Used in jewelry/dental for casting.
3.3 SLS
 Nylon (PA12): Common, durable.
 TPU Powder: Flexible parts.
 Metal Powders (in advanced printers).
4. Support Removal Systems
4.1 FDM
 Breakaway Supports: Manually snapped off after printing.
 Soluble Supports:
o PVA or HIPS dissolve in water or limonene.
o Used with dual extruder printers.
4.2 SLA/DLP
  Manual Removal: Printed supports are clipped off.
 Post-Curing: Parts are washed in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and cured with UV light to
harden.
4.3 SLS
 No Need for Supports: The unused powder acts as natural support during printing.
 Post-Processing: Includes depowdering and sometimes polishing or dyeing.

Result:
Thus the 3D printer including print heads, build envelope, materials used and related support
removal system has been studied successfully.
EX.no:03
REVIEW OF GEOMETRY TERMS OF A 3D MESH

Aim: To review of geometry terms of a 3D mesh.

Core Geometry Terms in a 3D Mesh
1. Vertex (plural: Vertices)
 A single point in 3D space defined by X, Y, Z coordinates.
 It’s the basic building block of a mesh.
 Multiple vertices are connected to form edges and faces.
Example: (1.0, 2.0, 3.0) is a vertex in 3D space.
2. Edge
 A straight line connecting two vertices.
 Defines the border between two faces or part of a wireframe.
 Not all edges have a visible face associated with them.
Think of edges like the skeleton or frame of the mesh.
3. Face (or Polygon)
 A flat surface defined by three or more edges.
 Triangles (3 edges) and quads (4 edges) are the most common.
 Defines the visible surface of the mesh.
Most 3D engines and printers convert complex faces to triangles for rendering or slicing.

Fig 3.1 Face, Edge, Vertex

4. Normal
 A vector perpendicular to a face or vertex.
  Determines which direction the face is “facing.”
 Important for lighting, rendering, and determining inside/outside of an object.
 Incorrect normals can cause holes or invisible faces in models.

Fig 3.2 Normal

5. UV Mapping
 A system that maps 2D texture coordinates to the 3D surface.
 U and V are the axes of the texture space (like X and Y in geometry).
 Essential for applying images/textures correctly on models.

Fig 3.3 UV Mapping

6. Topology
 Refers to the layout and flow of faces and edges across a model.
 Good topology ensures smooth deformation (important for animation).
 Edge loops and face loops are part of good topology.
 Fig 3.4 Topology
7. Manifold vs. Non-Manifold
 Manifold: A mesh that forms a closed, watertight surface.
o No holes, overlapping faces, or zero-thickness edges.
 Non-Manifold: Includes errors like shared edges by more than two faces or isolated
vertices.
o Problematic for 3D printing or simulations.

Fig 3.5 Mainfold, Non-Mainfold

8. Mesh Resolution / Density
 Refers to the number of polygons (faces) in a mesh.
 High-resolution meshes have more detail but are heavier.
 Low-resolution meshes are lighter but less detailed.
 Used in LOD (Level of Detail) systems in games and simulations.

Fig 3.6 Mesh Resolution And Density

9. Tessellation
 The process of dividing surfaces into smaller polygons (usually triangles).
 Can be done dynamically (e.g., in rendering) or statically (e.g., in modeling).

`
Fig 3.7 Tessellation
10. Watertight Mesh
 A mesh with no gaps or holes, required for 3D printing.
 All edges belong to exactly two faces.

Fig 3.8 Watertight Mesh

Result:
Thus the geometry terms of a 3D mesh has been reviewed successfully.
Ex.no:04
COMMANDS FOR MOVING FROM 2D TO 3D

Aim: To study the commands for moving from 2D to 3D.

Key Commands for 2D to 3D Conversion
1. Extrude
 Function: Extends a 2D profile linearly to create a 3D solid or cut.
 Usage: Select a closed 2D sketch and specify the distance.
 Direction: One side, both sides, or symmetric.
Example: Turning a 2D rectangle into a 3D box.

2. Revolve
 Function: Rotates a 2D profile around an axis to form a solid.
 Usage: Needs a sketch and a central axis.
 Typical Parts: Cylinders, bottles, knobs.
Example: Revolving a semicircle to form a sphere.

3. Sweep
 Function: Moves a 2D profile along a path (which can be curved).
 Usage: Requires a sketch for the profile and a separate sketch or edge for the path.
Example: Pipes, tubes, cable-like geometry.

4. Loft
 Function: Blends between two or more 2D profiles to create a smooth 3D shape.
 Usage: Select multiple sketches that represent cross-sections.
Example: Aircraft fuselage or a bottle with complex shape transitions.

5. Presspull (AutoCAD-specific)
 Function: Pushes or pulls enclosed areas of a sketch into 3D.
 Smart Command: Auto-detects profile boundaries.
6. Thicken
 Function: Adds depth to a surface or 2D planar face to create a 3D object.
 Common With: Imported geometry or surface models.

7. Boolean Operations
 Used to add, subtract, or intersect solids:
o Union/Add: Combines two solids.
o Subtract: Cuts one solid from another.
o Intersect: Keeps only the overlapping part.

Fig 4.1 Convertion from 2D to 3D using polysolid

Result:
Thus the commands for moving from 2D to 3D has been studied successfully.
Ex.no:05
ADVANCED CAD COMMANDS TO NAVIGATE MODELS IN
3D SPACE

Aim: To study advanced CAD commands to navigate models in 3D space.

3D Navigation & Manipulation Commands in AutoCAD
1. 3DORBIT (Shortcut: 3D or 3DORBIT)
 Purpose: Allows you to interactively rotate the view of your model around its axes
without changing the model itself.
 How it works:
o Activates an interactive viewing mode where you can click and drag to spin
the model around a pivot point.
o Especially useful for inspecting your model from all angles.
 Types of Orbit:
o Free Orbit: Full freedom of rotation.
o Constrained Orbit: Rotates around only X or Y axis.
o Continuous Orbit: View keeps rotating as long as the mouse moves.
 Use Case: Viewing a complex assembly, checking undercuts or details in hidden
areas.
2. 3DMOVE
 Purpose: Moves a selected object in any direction in 3D space (X, Y, Z).
 How it works:
o After selecting the object, you specify a base point and a second point to
define the move vector.
o You can also constrain the move to one axis by dragging along the axis handle
(red = X, green = Y, blue = Z).
 Use Case: Positioning components, adjusting alignment in assemblies.
3. 3DROTATE
 Purpose: Rotates objects around any axis in 3D space.
 How it works:
o Select the object, then define an axis of rotation (like a line, edge, or UCS).
o Specify the rotation angle.
 Visual Aid: You’ll see a 3D gizmo with rotation rings corresponding to the X, Y, and
Z axes.
 Use Case: Reorienting parts, rotating a bracket 90° around the Z-axis, etc.
4. ZOOM (Shortcut: Z)
  Purpose: Changes the magnification of the view without changing the model.
 Modes:
o Z + Enter, then:
 Extents: Zooms to show the entire model.
 Window: Zooms into a user-defined window.
 All: Zooms to the drawing limits or extents.
 Previous: Returns to the last view.
 Dynamic: Interactive zoom using mouse.
 Mouse Tip: Scrolling the mouse wheel forward/backward performs quick zoom.
5. 3DSCALE
 Purpose: Scales objects uniformly or non-uniformly in 3D space.
 How it works:
o Select object → Base point → Scale factor or reference.
o You can also scale differently along X, Y, or Z by using grip handles or the
command line.
 Use Case:
o Enlarging or shrinking models, resizing parts for fitment.
o Important: Over-scaling can distort proportions or cause issues with printing
or simulation.

Fig 5.1 Navigation, X,Y and Z different color commands

Result:
Thus the Advanced CAD commands to navigate models in 3D space Has been studied
successfully.
 EX.no:06
DESIGN ANY FOUR EVERYDAY OBJECTS

Aim : To Design any four everyday objects (Water Bottle, Ballpoint pen, spoon, smartphone
case).
Designs:
1. Water Bottle
Key Features:
 Revolve: Used to create the body from a side-profile sketch.
 Shell: Hollow out the solid to create the interior.
 Fillet: Round the top/lip and base.
 Threading (optional): For a screw-on cap.
Design Steps:
1. Sketch half the bottle outline on a vertical plane.
2. Use Revolve to create the solid body.
3. Apply Shell to create wall thickness.
4. Add Fillets for a realistic finish.

Fig 6.1 Water bottle

2. Ballpoint Pen
Key Features:
 Loft: From a thin nib to a thicker barrel.
 Pattern: For grip textures.
 Assembly: Multiple bodies—cap, ink cartridge, spring.
Design Steps:
1. Sketch front profile of the pen body and use Loft.
2. Create the tip with Revolve.
3. Use Pattern or Emboss for grip texture.
4. Design cap and inner ink refill as separate parts.

Fig 6.2 Ballpoint Pen

3. Spoon
Key Features:
 Surface modeling or Loft for the bowl shape.
 Sweep: For the handle with curvature.
 Mirror: To maintain symmetry.
Design Steps:
1. Sketch a curved handle path and use Sweep.
2. Create the spoon bowl using Loft or a surface tool.
3. Fillet the junction for smooth blending.

Fig 6.3 Spoon

4. Smartphone Case
Key Features:
 Offset: To trace phone dimensions with clearance.
 Extrude & Shell: To form the base and walls.
 Cutouts: For buttons, camera, charging port using Boolean subtract.
Design Steps:
1. Import or sketch the phone’s top profile.
2. Offset the sketch for tolerance.
3. Extrude and apply Shell for the case.
4. Use Cut operations for button holes and ports.
 Fig 6.4 Smartphone Case

Result:
Thus the four everyday objects (Water Bottle, Ballpoint pen, spoon, smartphone case) has
been designed successfully.
 EX.no:07
USE THE CAM SOFTWARE TO PREPARE FILES FOR 3D
PRINTING

Aim: To use the CAM software to prepare files for 3D printing.

Step-by-Step: Using CAM Software for 3D Printing Preparation
1. Export 3D Model from CAD Software
 File formats: .STL, .OBJ, or .3MF
 Export settings to check:
o Resolution (fine for curves and small details)
o Watertight mesh (no holes or non-manifold edges)
2. Import into CAM/Slicer Software
Popular slicers:
 Ultimaker Cura
 PrusaSlicer
 Bambu Studio
 MatterControl
 Simplify3D
 Creality Slicer
Open your .STL file in the slicer. The model should appear on the virtual print bed.
3. Orient and Scale the Model
 Use move, rotate, and scale tools to position the model:
o Flat face on the bed
o Proper dimensions (mm or inches)
 Consider minimizing supports by rotating strategically.
4. Set Print Settings (CAM Parameters)
Key Parameters:
 Layer Height: 0.1–0.3 mm (affects detail and speed)
 Wall Thickness: Typically 1.2 mm (3 perimeters)
 Infill Density: 10–100% (depends on strength needed)
 Print Speed: 40–100 mm/s
 Supports: Auto-generate for overhangs >45°
 Brim/Raft/Skirt: Improve bed adhesion
5. Material and Printer Setup
 Choose:
o Material type (PLA, ABS, PETG, etc.)
o Nozzle temp (e.g., PLA ~200°C)
o Bed temp (e.g., PLA ~60°C)
 Select your specific printer profile (bed size, nozzle size, etc.)
6. Generate the G-code
 Click Slice or Prepare in the slicer.
 Preview toolpath layers (optional but recommended).
 Export the file as .gcode.
7. Transfer G-code to Printer
 Methods:
o USB / SD Card
o Wi-Fi (if supported)
 Insert and start print from printer's interface.

Fig 7.1 Slicing object using Ultimaker

Result:
Thus by using the CAM software to prepare files for 3D printing is done successfully.
 Ex.no:08
Manipulate machine movement and material layering

Aim: To manipulate machine movement and material layering.

Procedure:
Manipulating Machine Movement & Material Layering

1. Set Layer Height

o Controls material layering thickness.
o Example: 0.2 mm for standard quality, 0.1 mm for high detail.
2. Adjust Print Speed
o Controls how fast the print head moves.
o Lower speed = better detail (e.g., 40–60 mm/s).
3. Set Infill Pattern & Density
o Adjust internal structure and material usage.
o Example: 20% grid for balance, 100% for strength.
4. Control Wall/Perimeter Settings
o Define outer shell thickness (e.g., 3 walls = ~1.2 mm).
o Affects strength and surface finish.
5. Customize Support Structures
o Add supports for overhangs.
o Adjust support angle and density to improve removability.
6. Modify Travel Movements
o Enable or disable features like retraction and Z-hop to reduce stringing.
7. Use Preview Mode
o Visually inspect toolpath layer-by-layer before printing.
o Look for gaps, collisions, or support issues.
 Fig 8.1 Machine Control or Manipulation Panel

Result:
Thus machine movement and material layering has been manipulated successfully.
 Ex.no:09
REPAIR A 3D MESH

Aim: To Repair a 3D mesh using:

(a) Freeware utilities
(b) Freeware tool tutorials
(c) Professional tools: Magics or Netfabb
Procedure: Repair a 3D Mesh
a) Freeware Utilities
1. Autodesk Meshmixer
Download Meshmixer
 Steps:
1. Open your .STL or .OBJ file.
2. Use "Analysis > Inspector" to auto-detect and fix holes and errors.
3. Manually smooth or edit triangles if needed.
4. Export as repaired .STL.

Fig 9.1 Repair mesh using Autodesk Meshfixer

2. Netfabb Basic / Netfabb Cloud
Netfabb Cloud Service
 Steps (Cloud):
1. Upload your model file.
2. Wait for automatic repair.
3. Download fixed version.
 Steps (Basic/Desktop):
1. Import model.
2. Click Red Cross (Repair tool).
3. Use Automatic Repair > Default Repair Script.
 4. Apply repair and export.

Fig 9.2 Repair mesh using Netfabb

3. MeshLab
 Open-source 3D mesh processor.
 Steps:
1. Open model.
2. Use Filters > Cleaning and Repairing:
 Remove duplicate vertices
 Close holes
 Remove isolated pieces
3. Save repaired file.

Fig 9.3 Repair mesh using Meshlab

b) Freeware Tool Tutorials
Netfabb & MeshLab Tutorials
 Netfabb Basic Tutorial
 MeshLab Tutorial
These tutorials provide step-by-step visuals for mesh repair, clean-up, and export.
c) Professional Tools
1. Autodesk Netfabb (Professional)
 Advanced automatic and manual mesh repair.
 Also includes slicing and part packing tools.
 Used in industrial 3D printing workflows.
2. Materialise Magics
 Industry-leading software for STL repair.
 Features include:
o Fixing intersecting triangles
o Wall thickness analysis
o Labeling and part nesting
 Supports additive manufacturing workflows (SLA, SLS, FDM, etc.)

Fig 9.4 Repair mesh using Professional tools

Result:
Thus the Repair a 3D mesh is done successfully.