Solid STL Extruder

Live Script illustrating creation of a 3D solid extruded along a parametric path and saved as an STL file.

Building a solid extrusion model with a closed triangulation from a point cloud fails with Delaney wrapping when the solid is not convex and fails with alpha-shape wrapping when parts of the solid are in close proximity.[1] This Live Script illustrates one way to map nodes of an extruded solid to a straight beam for which either form of triangulation is applicable. The resulting nodes can then be mapped back to the intended shape bearing the same triangulation as the straight beam and saved as an STL file or used directly and re-meshed as an fegeometry object. The example is a variously warped helical coil with rectangular cross section and with nearly intersecting turns.

This educational Live Script may interest users interested in creating, importing, and exporting models and STL files, and instructors and students of physics and engineering interested in exploring normal modes of helical coils of various shapes perhaps linked by warped sections using Singing Wine Glass and Bowl Explorer [2]. 'Try this' suggestions and 'Challenges' are included for further exploration.