How to expand, unscrew, explode an object from a stp file
I'm trying to print an object with a 3D printer (grabcad.com/library/pg7-cable-gland-1). I'm used to dealing with stp or gcode files on the printer side but haven't used CAD files before. I don't want to print a "combined" item, I need to print the individual components (screw, nut, cap, etc). I downloaded FreeCAD to try to work with the file and get it into stl format that I can print from. However, I can't figure out how to expand, explode, separate, etc the object into it's individual components for printing. I'm not sure if the limitation is the software or just my knowledge.
I don't have any use to buy a $1,000 software program to print a $0.25 part. :) But I'm happy to go through a small learning curve if necessary to try to figure it out. I spent several hours researching last night and I just can't figure out A) what I'm trying to do it called and B) how to do it.
I'm wondering if this is just normal for the environment and requires a lot more knowledge than I have currently. But it seems like this should be a fairly "simple" concept that even a beginner should be able to accomplish since I'm sure this has to happen a lot.
Accepted answer
It depends on the step file. It's impossible to tell from an image if it was designed as separate parts, or it is all just fused together.
It is unlikely that anyone took the time to model a proper thread with clearance either. But, there's a chance.
Post the step file and we can give a better answer. It all comes down to how the file was made/saved.
EDIT: Just saw the "url" provided. That model is created as a single body. You could take the time to split it up, and remodel the threads, but you'd likely spend just as much time by starting over.
Section view of model attached.
1 Other answer
@fred thanks. Here's the stp file for the object I was looking at. I may have found some suitable alternatives on thingverse but I would still like to know how to do this in case it's a better result or I need something else down the road.
