CAD + AI = cool but scary stuff.

[Gennady]

Hi folks.

Recently discovered nice way to reverse engineering STL files that I've download from interned. I aways had a dilemma - to find something that somebody already designed or create myself for my own. There are gazillion of existing things to print and lot of prose and cons on either way.
Here is what can be done with AI - here is STL file for the bracket


It is mesh, of course, not easily editable in CAD and so on...

Now. following text is a prompt for the ChatGPT 6.1
"Take this rotary encode mount STL file and recreate solid model based on the given geometry and dimensions. Create STP file to import it into parametric CAD. Remove all unneded triangle faces. Make holes as round as possible"

After 6m 15 seconds it gives the following -
Created the solid (.stp)

• Rebuilt 4,692 triangles as 41 clean CAD faces.
• Holes use true cylinders; slots have round ends.
• Verified that STEP reimports as one valid solid.
• Overall size: 38 × 34 × 77 mm, assuming the STL uses millimetres.

including editable reconstruction parameters and source. STEP imports as solid geometry without a native sketch history.




Obviously - complex geometry will require more intensive converting, more time and tokens 🙂 and it would be an errors . Anyway - I believe it is a good start.

 

[Sqought]

Technically .STEP isn't parametric CAD because it misses the design history but it's definitely 1000x better than an STL! I've been doing kinda similar stuff with Claude - getting it to make me simplified models of various machines, equipment etc. to fit in my shop. Now I can figure out what fits.

 

[Tom O]

Not bad considering you started with “ Sqought “
(Sorry I couldn’t resist )

 

[Fly_Cut]

For all the crap I've used AI for why didn't I think of this?
Thanks for opening my eyes.

 

[Loosenut]

How long before someone asks an A.I. program to create a Cyberdyne T-800

 

[Chicken lights]

How long before someone asks an A.I. program to create a Cyberdyne T-800

As long as nobody keeps going down the skynet path too far....

 

[PeterT]

You know when a stock prospectus is including risk statements of potentially wiping out all of humanity, we might be at the point of no return. Sheesh, remember the good 'ol days of just borrowing rates & market condtions?

 

[Mike R]

... I've been doing kinda similar stuff with Claude - getting it to make me simplified models of various machines, equipment etc. to fit in my shop. Now I can figure out what fits.

View attachment 88822

can you share the models - specifically what I think is a Tormach 1100, maybe an emco compact 5 and maybe a 13" lathe? I'm dreaming about a future shop...

 

[Maker Mike]

This would be great if it could take a 3d scan and turn it into a cad drawing. I have a 3d scanner, but I ain't patient or smart enough to turn it into a vector drawing.

 

[Sqought]

can you share the models - specifically what I think is a Tormach 1100, maybe an emco compact 5 and maybe a 13" lathe? I'm dreaming about a future shop...

Anyone who wants access can PM me, I'll send the OnShape link to the folder. If you want to request any equipment be added I can do that too.

So far its got 9x42 mill, 9x49 mill, robodrills, speedios, tormachs, the trak vmc2, and a variety of standard size offshore lathes. I’m going to be adding some more stuff too.