STL Calculator
The STL Calculator lets you calculate the surface area and required plating current of a custom 3D part by importing an STL file. This is useful when you need to plate a part that isn’t a standard fastener.
How to use
Section titled “How to use”- Navigate to the STL Calculator screen.
- Click Select STL File.
- Select an
.stlfile from your computer. - Once the calculation is complete, the results are shown below the button.
While calculating, the button shows a loading spinner and is disabled until the result is ready.
Results
Section titled “Results”Two result cards are displayed after a successful calculation:
- Surface Area — the total surface area of the model, displayed in mm² or in² depending on your unit setting in Settings.
- Current Needed — the estimated plating current in amps, adjusted by the Multiplier value set in Settings.
The surface area respects the Measurement setting in Settings:
| Setting | Unit displayed |
|---|---|
| Metric | mm² |
| Imperial | in² |
The current is always shown in amps (A).
Supported files
Section titled “Supported files”Only .stl files are accepted. Both binary and ASCII STL formats are supported.