Engrove Trace to Plug

1 · Import the traced object

Bring in the .engrove-trace-project package you exported from Engrove Manual Trace. It must contain a calibrated top view and a calibrated side view of the same object.

Drop the package here

or choose a file

Package: nothing imported
Project: —
Geometric views: 0

Nothing leaves this machine. The package is read, checked against the trace contract and converted in the browser.

2 · Interpret the views as a solid

Your two views fix how wide and how tall the object is at every point along its length. They cannot tell whether its corners are round or square, so that part is your call.

Section fullness 2.60 Lower is a sharp diamond, 2 is a true ellipse, higher approaches a rectangle with rounded corners. Stations along the length 14 How many cross-sections are sampled from the traced outline. More follows the trace more closely.

Traced length: —
Lofted length: —
Rings: —
End stations recovered: —

The lofted length should match the traced length. If it does not, the trace has an unusable end and the pattern is shorter than the object.

3 · Add the casting allowance

A pattern is not the finished part. Every section is scaled by the percentage below, while the length stays exactly as traced — so the plug gets fatter or thinner without ever getting longer or shorter.

Allowance 0.00 % Positive makes the plug larger than the traced object; negative makes it smaller. Use it for mould shrinkage, gelcoat build and the finish you will sand off. Print material density (g/cm³)

Triangles: —
Mesh: —
Volume: —
Bounding box: —
Printed mass: —

4 · Check it comes out of the mould

A two-part mould has to lift off the pattern in two directions. If any part of the plug sits behind other material along that direction, the cured mould locks onto it and you will break one of them getting them apart.

Pull direction

Verdict: not checked
Locking rays: —
Near-vertical surface: —
Parting line: —

The yellow line in the preview is where the parting board meets the plug. The red lines, if any, mark where the mould locks.

Too long for your printer?

Cut the pattern into two halves

Cut position 50 % Cut clearance (mm) Add a keyed peg and socket so the halves only fit one way Peg radius (mm, 0 = size it for me) Peg depth (mm) Peg fit clearance (mm)

Halves: exported whole
Peg: —

5 · Export what you will print

The STL is the pattern exactly as shown, allowance included. It is written only if it is a closed, correctly wound solid — an open shell would slice into something you did not model.

STL format Also write the record sheet describing every decision above

Then, away from this application

Print the pattern. If you cut it, print both halves and key them together.
Fill, prime and sand it until it is glass smooth. Every scratch is copied into the mould, and from the mould into the part.
Wax and apply release agent, build the parting board to the yellow line, then lay up the first glassfibre mould half.
Strip the board, wax the flange, lay up the second half, then part the mould and remove the plug.
Lay the final part up in carbon fibre inside the finished mould.