Reverse engineering

Reverse engineering aims at analyzing and understanding the design of an existing product in order to create a copy, make improvements, or solve problems. In the case of mechanical parts, reverse engineering is often necessary due to the absence of plans or CAD models. The use of a 3D scanner and a measuring arm can be highly advantageous in the reverse engineering process.
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Reverse engineering a mechanical part involves several steps to understand its design and create an accurate 3D model. Here are the general steps of a reverse engineering process:

data acquisition

The first step is to obtain data from the existing part, which can be done using a 3D scanner on a measuring arm. The goal is to collect all the necessary information about the geometry, dimensions, and features of the part.

data processing

Once the scanning or measurement data has been acquired, it needs to be processed to obtain a usable mesh. This may involve cleaning up raw data, aligning scans or measurements, or merging different parts of the part.

3D modeling

A 3D modeling software is used to create a digital model of the part from the mesh. The reverse engineering CAD software can be a specialized tool like Geomagic Design X, Polyworks Modeler, or a more general-purpose software like Catia, NX, SolidWorks.

Verification and adjustments

Once the 3D model is created, it is important to verify it against the original part. Compare dimensions, shapes, and features to ensure that the model closely matches the existing part. If necessary, make adjustments to improve the accuracy of the model.

Reverse engineering of a car with surface modeling from mesh

Alignment of the scanning data with the CAD file

Reverse engineering of a car rim inside Design X software

User scanning a wheel with Kreon Ace measuring arm and Skyline 3D scanner

What are the advantages of a 3D scanner for reverse engineering?

Fast data acquisition:
Kreon 3D scanners can quickly capture the geometric information of an object, speeding up the reverse engineering process.
High precision and resolution:
‍Kreon 3D scanners are capable of capturing precise details of an object's surface, resulting in highly accurate 3D models that closely resemble the real object.
Capture of complex geometry:
‍Kreon 3D scanners can capture the geometry of complex shapes, including curved surfaces, textures, and fine details, which can be challenging to achieve with other measurement methods.
Contactless inspection:
‍Kreon 3D scanners can inspect objects without physically touching them, which is particularly useful for fragile or flexible objects. This reduces the risk of damage or deformation during the inspection process.

What are the advantages of a measuring arm for reverse engineering?

Dimensional accuracy:
‍The touch probe of the Kreon measuring arm (or the one that can be screwed directly under the Kreon scanner) allows for measuring the geometric entities of the part with higher accuracy than a 3D scanner. Highly precise elements such as bores or threads can be faithfully reproduced.
Flexibility:
‍Kreon measuring arms can be used to measure objects of different sizes and shapes, and they are also portable, allowing for on-site usage.

By using a Kreon 3D scanner and a measuring arm for reverse engineering, you can benefit from the speed and precision of the 3D scanner to capture complex geometry, as well as the dimensional accuracy and flexibility of the measuring arm for precise measurements. This combination enables a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of parts and quick decision-making to ensure compliance with specifications.

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