The Process
The measurement of the object is done with non-contact methods such as structured (white and blue) light 3d scanning, laser 3d digitizing, X-ray type CT scanning, and 3D photogrammetry being the most common. The output of almost all 3d scanners is a grid or collection of points commonly called a point cloud. The number of these points can reach in the hundreds of millions. Each point has an x,y,z coordinate similar to a point measured on a CMM ( coordinate measuring machine). These points are then processed to remove redundant or overlapping points. The resulting 3D model is a triangular mesh and is usually stored in *.stl or *.obj formats. Based on requirements, the triangular mesh is then imported into specialized reverse engineering cad software. Each feature on the part is manually identified, modeled, trimmed, blended into neighboring geometry, stitched together, solidified and converted into virtual 3D CAD models.
The results of the reverse engineering service can be many different formats, to suit customer requirements.
Some of our Reverse Engineering deliverables, ascending in price, are:
- Cross Sectional Curves in .igs or .stp format – These are actual splines or curves fitted in the cross sections created from the STL models. These are the cheapest form of reverse engineering and can be used by the customer to build his own CAD models, and also just use them straight up to create after market parts, or use as a boundary volume when he is designing other objects around the scanned object. Especially for customers who cannot use STL models, and those who cannot afford higher priced models below, and want to just bring some basic geometry into their CAD system.
- Organic surface models , in .igs or .stp format- These are good for toys, and other organic shapes, which are very difficult to model with standard features. A typical example will be coral reef, lump of clay, faces, etc. Download sample organic models HERE.
- Engineering-grade CAD models, in .stp, .igs , x_t , sldprt formats- These are OEM quality, design-intent CAD models. They are a combination of feature-based and freeform surface-based modeling. They are G1 tangent-continuous models. They are the best balance of looks and accuracy of reverse engineering from the scandata. These are manually built in various CAD packages, and can eliminate manufacturing flaws, or can be built as-is, in the current shape of the part. These are typically used in manufacturing the parts, making mold and die tooling, 3D printing, CAE or CFD analysis, packaging studies, archiving data, creating manufacturable models from old legacy parts etc.
- Parametric CAD models- As the name suggests, these models are created in the dedicated CAD software that the customer requires and are created using sketches. These sketch-based models are delivered with full parametric history tree . The major functional difference between these kinds of models and other RE CAD models is that these are easily modifiable by the customer themselves in their CAD package. These models are usually slightly less accurate to the scandata than Eng-grade models, as these models are typically smoothed over due to being created using sketches.
- Class A models- These are the highest , most expensive models that are created. They are G2 curvature continuous models and are usually meant only for exterior vehicle body surfaces, or other exterior surfaces which the end customer is going to touch, see and feel. They have very high reflective properties and are very good-looking surfaces. They might not be the most accurate , just because looks are prioritized over dimensional accuracy.
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Types of parts:
A vast variety of objects can be reverse engineered, with sizes ranging from pin sized to ship-sized objects. Simple or complex, dark or light, soft or hard, rough or fine, metal or plastic, almost any object can be measured with noncontact scanning technology, and the data transformed into 3D virtual models. Some of the common objects that we come across are dies and molds, plastic injection molded parts, sheet metal stamped parts, museum artifacts, handmade prototypes, assembly parts, cast and machined parts, sports equipment, aftermarket automotive parts, consumer objects, medical and aerospace equipment, construction materials, clay models, antiquities, and much more.
With Reverse Engineering you can:
– Create OEM quality 3D data for any part, die, mold or machine.
– Troubleshoot assembly fit problems with digital assembly models.
– Scan prototype or clay models and create tooling to manufacture them
– Replace missing or damaged die or mold details, or legacy parts.
– Fast and accurate process replaces slow CMMs.
– Create aftermarket products for OEM vehicles.
– Great help in designing complex products.
– Get to the market faster with lower development costs.
– Great tool to study wear analysis
– Archive any museum or heritage artifact for future reproduction.
– Easily modify existing dies and molds, even if current data is unavailable.
– Watertight solid models let your machine directly from our data.
– Our data works with any CAD system.
– Save time and money.
High-resolution 3d scanning provides the quickest method for providing the most accurate details about the size, shape, and dimensional variances on any part, large or small. Archive these details for later use, or use them to reverse engineer and make similar parts. Build or repair old legacy parts, tools, dies, or molds, even if you don’t have CAD data. Our engineering grade models will cut your cycle times, reduce overheads by reducing rework, and save you time and money. 3D scanning also helps in bringing your products to market faster and more efficiently at lower costs. The 3D digital inspection provides 100% dimensional inspection of any part in easy-to-understand color error plots. Outsource these services to us, and take advantage of our low prices, skilled engineers, and over 30 years of combined experience.