3D Laser Scanning in Reverse Engineering

Determining the three dimensional form of the object's shape plays a crucial role in virtually every step of the design and manufacturing process. When the concept was in its early development phase, its body was made out of wood, clay, or other accessible and flexible materials.

Today, such a practice still exists in the automotive design industry, but with more sophisticated methods like CAD services and 3D scanning, the practice has evolved.

Define Reverse Engineering

Reverse engineering is a kind of invention improving or sometimes by stealing & copying existing technology. An example of a self explanatory term is Reverse engineering, which is disassembling something and figuring out how it works before reassembling it. Some companies have imported products from other countries to reverse engineer and modify them.

Reverse Engineering Process

The process of reverse engineering includes more than just taking things apart; it also involves analyzing specifications and how they were manufactured. In order to determine physical properties of materials, it is important to generate data nearly identical to the original regarding dimensions and materials.

In addition to revealing its strengths, there can also be information about its weaknesses. By scanning an object or a product in 3D, you can compile all those valuable insights.

3D Scanning

3D scanners generate polygon meshes by combining laser and distance measurements. A laser triangulation system is used by some 3D scanning services to create a map of an object. By recording the time it takes for laser beams to hit a surface and return, others use time of flight systems to mirror an object's dimensions.

The data generated from a single scan cannot create a complete 3D model; a collection of scans based on a standard reference system is needed to produce a complete 3D model.

Importance of 3D Laser Scanning for Reverse Engineering

As companies can stay competitive despite the creativity of their competitors by using reverse engineering to deconstruct and identify specifications, they have an edge in the market.

Time & Cost Saving

3D laser scanning technology has risen as a result of the prominence of CAD in product development. Nowadays, most people are aware of the time & cost saving advantages of CAD design. With the advancement of technology, converting a paper sketch into a digital model is becoming easier and faster.

Prototyping

Prototyping is no longer necessary for improvements and refinements to the original idea. A virtual simulation can also allow products to be tested before a potential trial & error period is undertaken.

Using CAD

CAD and 3D laser scanning are common methods used by consumer product companies everywhere to integrate virtual product development into their workflows. By combining these technologies, companies can reverse engineer their own products quickly and accurately, allowing them to analyze the products of their competitors.

3D Laser Scanning Merits for Reverse Engineering

Accuracy Varying

Despite varying accuracy levels, 3D laser scanners produce much more accurate results than manual work. In nearly all cases, the device itself is faultless, regardless of the operator's precision. To minimize errors, consider working with professional electronics design services.

Low Intense Labor

In spite of the relatively high initial investment, 3D laser scanners should quickly pay for themselves. A digital model can be drawn without disassembling a product by hand. As an added bonus, reverse engineering using a 3D scanner and CAD takes much less time and effort. Getting consistent results saves companies money in the long run.

Read more