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Reverse engineering becomes essential when, for instance, you have a part's prototype but not its blueprint, and it must be re-imported into CAD software for modifications. Using conventional metrology, this would be a very time consuming and error-prone process, yielding often uncertain results. Fortunately, there exist two automated processes through which the prototypes can be automatically digitized into solid models.
The first uses an operator controlled Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). This highly sensitive device establishes a baseline coordinate system using a series of points gathered with the help of a probe. Then, with the proper information regarding the nature of the part, software will transform the point cloud into a full fledged model ready for any CAD software.
The second technique uses low wavelength laser 3D scanning to generate a much higher density point cloud. This technique is much faster, but is slightly more expensive and tends to cause a trouble with certain surfaces. |
