Preparing your data correctly

With the right file you get your quote and your part faster. Here is what we need and which mistakes you can easily avoid.

Free “Preparing data” guide as PDF (1 page) – we will send it to you by e-mailRequest by e-mail All downloads →

File formats

Which format is the right one?

Format	What it contains	Recommendation
STEP (.step/.stp)	exact CAD geometry, dimensions stay accurate	preferred – we can also make changes with it
3MF	mesh plus units, colours and settings	very good for printing
STL	surface made of triangles, without units	works, pay attention to fine resolution
OBJ	mesh, partly with colours	works
Photo / sketch	idea with dimensions	enough for the first contact – we do the design

Export

An STL describes round surfaces with many small triangles. If the resolution is too coarse, a circle becomes a polygon.

Step 1
Check the unit
Export in millimetres – otherwise the part is suddenly 25 times too small or too large.
Step 2
Choose the resolution
Fine setting or small chord deviation (e.g. 0.01 mm). Don’t overdo it: huge files don’t help.
Step 3
One part per file
Split assemblies into single parts and name each file sensibly.
Step 4
Quick check
Open the file in a viewer: is everything there, is the size correct?

Common mistakes

Open surfaces

the model must be closed “watertight”

Intersecting bodies

merge several bodies into one

Flipped surfaces

inside and outside swapped – happens during export

Areas that are too thin

below the minimum wall thickness they will be missing in the print

Send along

Quantity and preferred date

Application: what does the part have to withstand?

Important dimensions and tolerances

Desired material or colour

Visible surfaces that should look particularly good

Your project · Our know-how

Send it to us – even if you’re unsure. We fix small errors before printing.