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Data Transfer

Sending us your data

There are various ways in which you can send us your 3D CAD data for quotation; the easiest and quickest is to attach it to an email and send it to post@3trpd.co.uk. Please ensure that you include in the covering email your contact details and any relevant information regarding materials, quantities, finishing, delivery requirements etc.  We always endeavour to email you a quotation within 24 hours.

Online Request a Quote

Alternatively, you may complete our secure online Request a Quote form with all the relevant details of your quote requirement and attach your data, which is then sent to us via email. However, there is a limit on the size of data that can be transmitted through this means, and the maximum file size is 8MB.

FTP site

You can email your data to us (beware of any file size limits at your end).  Alternatively, we have our own FTP site (File Transfer Protocol) which is an easy to use and a totally secure way of exchanging files over the internet. To use this method, use our Request a Quote form.

Alternatively, you can upload the data directly to our FTP. Simply call our Projects Team on +44 (0)1635 580284 and they will email you a free download of the Core FTP software, together with instructions on how to upload your files.  A step-by-step guide explaining how to upload your data is available here.

Data Format

There are a number of CAD systems we use and many different file types that we can read - click here for a full list. Whilst we can generate a quotation from almost any data source, we can only build from those that are 3D. File types that are 2D do not include sufficient information to drive the modeling process, and therefore a 2D-3D conversion is required.

The .STL and .IGES file formats have become the standard data transmission method for the Rapid Prototyping industry, with the preferred format being .STL for SLS parts, and .IGES for DMLS parts. Almost all of today's CAD systems are capable of producing .STL and .IGES files and the process is often as simple as selecting File, Save As, .STL/.IGES. For further information on how to generate a good .STL file, click here and you can read our Guide to Architectural modelling here.

File Compression

Whilst our server can easily allow 10MB through without any problem, it is important that your data files are compacted to allow them to be successfully e-mailed and quickly downloaded so that you can receive your quotation as quickly as possible. Therefore, files should be zipped before sending and Stlzip software is a very efficient means of doing this - a free copy can be emailed to you upon request. There are various other compression software packages available, including:-