This can lead to a long toolpath calculation time, a lot of memory use, and not generate a toolpath that leads to a better final product. Some 3D STL files take this triangle count to the extreme and create a MASSIVE number of triangles. The math is much to slow and error-prone to not operate on triangles. Almost all modern CAM software will convert your design to a series of triangles before creating a toolpath.A 3D STL can be generated to almost arbitrary accuracy and it can definitely be more accurate than your CNC machine.Some users think this leads to a loss of accuracy in the finished part since a series of triangles cannot fully represent a 3D model. STL files represent the underlying 3D model as a series of triangles, even if the original design is from a very high-end CAD program like Solidworks. While this is very useful for a 3D printer, which has access to the internal structure of a model, a CNC machine can only get to the outside of a part. STL files can represent a complete object, including all sides of an object as well as internal features. The STL file format began long ago as the default standard for 3D printers and over time became a reliable way to exchange 3D objects between all kinds of programs. STL files are the most common file type to save a 3D model. In fact, CNC software is more forgiving of funky files than 3D printers because a CNC machine doesn't need to build up a complete object from nothing it just needs to machine the outer surfaces.

If you end up needing some 2D models for CNC we have that too with our Carbide 3D Design Elements File Types for 3D Modelsįirst, there's nothing special about models for CNC compared to models for any other use, like 3D printing or animation.

Here's some preliminary information to help you get started with files for 3D CNC. While we're talking most specifically about our CNC machines, the information applies to all CNC routers and desktop CNC machines. While there are an unlimited number of CNC projects that are strictly 2D, our Shapeoko CNC Router and Nomad Desktop CNC are both capable of running full 3D projects and many users eventually decide that they'd like to try something more challenging. Most of our customers start with 2D projects on their CNC machine.

3d stl files for cnc router