Prototyping and Manufacturing

SpaceClaim helps you get parts out the door faster, without the complexity of a traditional CAD system, typically paying for itself in a few production runs.

CAD files are a great way to document a design, but they don't always come from the designer ready to cut. SpaceClaim makes it easy to repair, prepare, and manipulate models to get them ready for prototyping or production. SpaceClaim's unique, no-nonsense approach removes the hassle of wrestling with the original CAD features so you can get on with production. SpaceClaim's powerful tools are particularly useful for:

• Additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping
• De-featuring and adjusting for NC programming
• Converting solids to sheet metal flat patterns

Why SpaceClaim?

• SpaceClaim can open parts from just about every CAD system and lets you work with them as if you made them in SpaceClaim.
• The prepare and repair tabs get the geometry exactly where you need it.
• Never experience rebuild errors again.

Additive Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping

When making a prototype, rarely is the CAD design ready for 3D printing. In the past, many model shops had to wrestle with complicated CAD systems or make the edits right on the mesh. Neither is an ideal solution. SpaceClaim provides a thorough suite of tools to get geometry ready for additive manufacturing, such as:

• Shell, thicken, and fill in voids. Start with surfaces or solids. SpaceClaim makes it easy to convert back and forth.
• Scale models to their ideal size, then adjust wall thicknesses.
• Split large parts into multiple pieces, adding lips and mortise/tenon joints as necessary.
• Repair and solidify surface geometry, even it it doesn't form a watertight boundary.
• Tessellate at exactly the right resolution for your hardware.

SpaceClaim makes it easy to split an oversize part in two and create a variable thickness lip joint.

De-featuring and Adjusting for NC Programming

Traditional history-based CAD systems are designed for specifying detailed design intent and documentation. At times however, these systems can slow the process of getting parts out the door. Additionally, the many features and constraints can interfere in getting the job done. SpaceClaim lets you manipulate geometry however you see fit to get your work cells set up and ready for production.

• Use SpaceClaim's unique and powerful de-featuring tools to create in-process models for different machining operations.
• Design jigs and fixtures off of in-process models.
• Make edits quickly and easily, without having to use a complicated CAD system.
• Adjust geometry correctly to account for the manufacturing process.

SpaceClaim quickly de-features a finished CAD part all the way back to a 2D profile.

Setting up a fixture for a work cell in SpaceClaim.

Sheet Metal Manufacturing

SpaceClaim's sheet metal capabilities are focused on getting parts ready for production. Take just about any format from your customer and turn it into a flat pattern using SpaceClaim's powerful sheet metal environment. Rapidly convert your existing data to unfoldable, solid, 3D designs. Start with unshelled models, shelled 3D models, surface models, and 2D data. Directly sketch new 3D sheet metal geometry. Try different bends, seams, and rips to optimize flat pattern geometry. Change the flat pattern and watch the 3D model update. Adjust thickness and material properties any time. Customizable form library supports punches, countersinks, knockouts, bridges, extrusions, louvers, and cups. Lightweight holes allow patterns of thousands of holes without affecting performance.

View Sheet Metal functionality in action.