You can upload your workpiece(s) as .stl, .3mf, or a .step file formats to start the design process or you can simply drag and drop single files into the viewport.
The workpieces will be positioned according to the absolute coordinates defined in the original design of the workpiece model.
Upload workpiece
Workpiece settings
Positioning workpiece
As mentioned, the uploaded workpiece is positioned according to the absolute coordinates of original design when imported.
You can also reposition the part by using the Gismo control (at center of part) or can also type values manually in both translation or rotation.
Gismo: This control helps to move, rotate, or scale a set of objects along a 3D axis or plane. With which, your workpiece can be rotated and translated at different angles either by using the mouse or entering the values manually for better precision.
Upload workpiece
Link to previous workpiece:
In case you have uploaded more than one workpiece you might want to keep their original position in relation to each other. To achieve this, you can select this command which enables you to link workpiece B to the previous workpiece A based on the original design position of the workpieces.
Now, both workpieces are linked to each other and can be considered as one single workpiece making it easier to perform operations on it. All translations and rotations applied to workpiece A will also be done for both workpieces.
Set workpiece projection:
In case, the uploaded workpiece is complex and has very fine geometrical features the creation of a negative can become difficult. In order to solve this problem, this command can be used.
Fixtures created using this software take the outer contour as the reference. If the outer contour is complex and has irregular surface, the projection command will help you to create the contour surface flat and smooth.
Align workpiece to baseplate:
This command will help you to align your workpiece always with the baseplate. This will be useful to you when drawing support structures. You can also adjust the height of the workpiece from the panel on the left.
Cross-sectional cut:
Creating support structures beneath the workpiece can be difficult since you intuitively would want to use the top view for positioning. Create a horizontal, cross-sectional cut to have a better view at the lower parts of the workpiece.
Baseplate setting
Select baseplate type:
In this section, you will learn how to add a baseplate for your fixture. There are four types of predefined baseplates available in this software including printed and conventionally manufactured standard baseplates.
You can change the dimensions using the left side panel after picking your desired baseplate.
Select baseplate
Rectangular baseplate:
Using this type of baseplate, you can have a printable baseplate whose dimensions such as length, width and thickness can be adjusted using the panel on the left side of the screen.
You can also enable mounting holes to fasten the fixture on a work bench or something like that.
This baseplate will be included in the download file and can be printed.
Rectangular baseplate
Convex Hull
Convex Hull type baseplate enables you to create a baseplate which is the outline of the workpiece elements. This type can be helpful you to save material when making fixtures (for instance shadow boards).
Offset and height of the baseplate can be adjusted from the left side panel.
This baseplate will be included in the download file and can be printed.
Convex Hull baseplate
Perforated Baseplate
Use this baseplate type baseplate if you plan to use a baseplate that is available in your production environment. The baseplate can be used to combine 3D printed elements with a conventional perforated baseplate. Use the panel on the left to set all parameters according to your standard plates in usage.
Configure it to create a placeholder in the overall assembly. This baseplate type will not be included in the download file.
Perforated baseplate
Basic Metal/Wooden baseplate
This option will visualize a metal/wooden type of baseplate which can be used to place 3D printed elements upon it.
The size of the baseplate can be adjusted from the panel on the left side.
Configure it to create a placeholder in the overall assembly. This baseplate type will not be included in the download file.
Metal/wooden baseplate
Support setting
Select support type:
In this section, you will learn to create different types of support structures which will have predefined top & bottom curved fillets.
Rectangular support:
With this command, you can create a rectangular support structure defined by the center point, width and height. By holding the Ctrl key, you can drag and create a rectangular support structure.
Define the center of the support with your mouse and keep the Ctrl key pressed and move your mouse to define the size of the rectangle.
Click again to finalize the shape. You can also reposition the whole support by holding center point and moving it.
Custom support:
By using this, you can create custom shaped support structures according to your workpiece shape.
Press and hold Ctrl key while defining the polyline markers (by mouse click) for the custom shape. The first and last markers will be connected automatically.
You can also customize the shape by dragging the blue points – adding more markers to the outline that can be repositioned. To reposition the whole structure, just hold the center point and move the mouse accordingly.
Cylindrical support:
Cylindrical shaped support structures can be created using this command.
Press the Ctrl key and select the center point with a first mouse click. Drag the mouse and click again to set the diameter. Finetuning of the center point’s position, the cylinder’s diameter or height can be adjusted from the panel on left side.
Repositioning of the whole structure can be done by the same procedure as mentioned in the above sub sections.
Duplicate support structures:
When you want to have more than one support structure which have the same shape and size, you can just duplicate a support.
This command can help you save time as you do not have to design the same parts again and again.
By holding the ALT key and clicking on the central marker of a support, you duplicate it. Hold ALT and the left mouse to drag&drop the duplicate wherever you want to have it.
Create support rips and mounts to baseplate:
By adding rips and mountings to your support structure, you can improve the stability of the fixture.
Support rips on rectangular plate:
Rips can be generated for your support structures on the rectangular baseplate by toggling the rips icon at specific elements on the left side.
Wedge shaped rips will be created automatically for selected support structure once the command is picked.
Mount supports to perforated baseplate:
If you plan to combine 3D printed support elements with conventionally manufactured baseplates you need to connect these later on. To prepare this step you can create mount supports that take the plate’s perforation into account. Use the icon from the individual support section on the left.
After picking the icon, click on the desired location on the baseplate. Pre-defined mount will be generated based on baseplate hole size.
The mount hole will automatically be aligned with nearest baseplate hole and the position of the mounting can be shifted by moving the dots to desired location.
Subtract workpiece (create Nest)
Enable/Disable subtract workpiece:
By subtracting the outer contour of the workpiece from the support structures, a nest geometry can be created.
This subtraction is not just a simple boolean operation but it takes potential undercuts into consideration. It removes all material along the projected path of the workpiece
Enable/disable subtraction
Define global/local Offset:
Mechanical tolerances play a crucial role when handling parts, so the offset command is used to create slightly bigger cavities.
A global offset can be created for all the structures from this offset input value on the right.
Global offset
Local offset
A global offset can be created for all the structures from this offset input value on the right.
Define resolution
The resolution slider effects the precision displayed in the rendering. The higher the resolution (closer to 1.0 mm) the more precise but also the slower the calculations are. The lower the resolution (closer to 10.0 mm) the less precise but faster the calculations are.
Important: this setting will not affect the final surface finish and quality of the part printed. The final export quality will be always set to the highest resolution.
If you can live with some edges in the rendering only, we recommend to choose a lower resolution during the configuration to experience a better performance.
Define resolution
Removal direction
When subtracting the workpiece to create the fixture, it is important that the projection is done in a specific direction and this can be adjusted from this command.
We can set direction either by using the gismo or by entering the values numerically.
Removal direction
Clamps
Select clamp type:
Clamps are used to keep the workpiece fixed at specific point.
To add standard clamps – pick the relevant workpiece first that you want to fix, select the type of clamp, choose a location on the workpiece and the clamp will be placed.
The supports for the clamps are generated automatically once the clamps are placed.
Select clamp
Clamp setting
Position the clamp:
Positioning clamp
Clamps orientation can be adjusted easily either by moving the gismo manually or by entering the numerical values.
Create rips/mounts to clamp support
Rips/Mounts bring stability to the part.
To create rips, click on the icon here and the rips will be created automatically.
For mounts on a perforated plate, select the command and choose the location on the baseplate, the predefined mount will be generated according to the baseplate hole size.
This command is similar for both support structures and clamp support
Create rips/mounts to clamp
Labels
Pick and place labels
Labels can be added to the fixture by picking the label command.
Define two points on surface where you want to place label: the first click defines the lower left anchor of the label line while the second click defines the orientation of the label line. Both points can be re-adjusted by drag&drop of the marker points.
Pick and place labels
Label setting
Edit label text and size
Edit label text
Size and text of the label can be changed by editing the values on left side panel.
Toggle label extrusion direction
Toggle label extrusion
The label can either be engraved or extruded out on the surface using this command.
Holes
Select hole type
You can also add holes on your support structures for some further operations using the hole command from the right-side holes panel.
There are three options to choose from: simple, counterbore and tapered holes.
After choosing your hole type, you will have to select the position where you want the hole to be placed. To do so, just click on the desired location and the hole will be placed.
The holes will be placed perpendicular to the surface.
Select hole type
Simple hole
A simple hole is just like a hollow cylinder in structure. Using the panel on the left-hand side, you can vary the dimensions of it.
Counterbore
A counterbore hole can also be created on the surface of the fixture using this command. You can edit the outer and inner radius along with the depth of the hole from the left panel here.
Tapered hole
Tapered hole is the one where the start diameter of the hole is different to the end diameter. You can select this hole type from here and enter the diameter of the holes on the left panel.
Hole settings
Define hole properties
You can also make it a through hole by selecting “Make through hole” command.
Holes can be aligned to perforated baseplate holes by selecting the “align to baseplate holes” option.
Hole settings
Measurements
This is a measuring scale, which measures the distance between 2 points.
Define the first point by clicking any position in the viewport. A first marker point is displayed before you may a select second point by click. Now you will be able to see linear measuments between the selected markers.
Measurements
Save & Restore configurations
Save configurations
During more complex configurations or at least at the end of a configuration process you might want to save the configuration status. Use the icon in the top right corner to create a zip file which you can save as a backup.
Also, please remember that this is web-based software solution and an inactivity of more than 30 minutes will result in interrupting the session. Therefore, we recommend saving your status every now and then – especially for more complex fixture designs.
Save configurations
Restore configurations
You can restore any saved configuration backup at a later stage and continue your configuration right away.
A window will open and you can select the zip file from its location and the restoration will be done.
Restore configurations
Download
Download STL file
You can download your fixture design using download STL file. A pop-up tab will be opened to confirm your final design
Use the downloaded STL file or files within your preferred slicing software to set your final printing parameters.
Download STL
Download 2D drawings
Additionally, to the 3D model file you can actually get a 2D drawing sheet as pdf file.
The pdf file contains previews of the fixture design and also display the coordinates of holes or mounting structures. The latter can be very useful later while assembly of printed elements on the baseplate.
The 2D drawing generated for a perforated baseplate becomes very useful when placing all the fixtures at their positions. The holes synchronized during the making of mountings will be guided using the 2D drawings.
 Link to previous workpiece.png)
 Link to previous workpiece.png)
 Define global_local offset.png)
 Define global_local offset.png)
