By Nel PreTech
Ultra-precise, 3D Measuring to Reconstruct an Object into a 3D CAD Model Our reverse engineering services are industry leading, but what does it take to build a 3D CAD model? Step 1 - Measurement/Gathering Data There are several methods that can be utilized for data extraction. Some of these include: - CMM - Video measurement systems - Laser scanners As the 3D scanning reverse engineering industry evolves, other cutting-edge, extremely accurate systems are emerging. Industrial CT scanning and blue light scanning are two such technologies Nel PreTech has mastered. Step 2 - Data Processing This is typically a preprocessing step to get ready for the third step of creating a 3D CAD model. For others, this may be the final step. For customers interested in data analysis, or rapid prototyping with their own internal CAD department, this step may be all that is needed. The raw data from step 1 is processed and used to create a polygonal.STL model. For those customers who require a solid.STEP conversion of the.STL data set, further mesh editing/processing of the.STL may be needed. Step 3 - CAD Model Creation Rapid Surfacing/quick-wrap method: As mentioned in step 2, the option to convert the polygonal.STL file to a solid.STEP file is available. This is typically the least costly and fastest method of creating a CAD model. Our reverse engineering software takes the STL model from the previous step and shrink wraps a surface over the entire STL model. The result is a completely surfaced model that matches the scanned part exactly. All imperfections such as warp, parting lines, flash, etc. are captured. The surfaced model can then be exported in an IGES or STEP format for further processing in other CAD software packages. This method produces a solid model that is a simple solid conversion of the polygonal.STL file. No parametric information is contained in the file.
