Reverse engineering - 3D models

Reverse engineering is the creation of a 3D model from an existing physical part for further use in CAD, CAM, CAE or other systems. Using a 3D scanner, an existing part is scanned, which is then digitized and, using appropriate software, reconstructed into formats that CAD or CAM applications can work with.

We perform reverse engineering using 3D scanning with a Creaform HandySCAN 700 portable laser scanner or, alternatively, processing input data from other scanning systems (e.g. GOM). The data from the scan are then processed (cloud of points) in CAD programs.

Reverse engineering is the digitization of an existing physical part, or the creation of a 3D model, which can then be further processed in CAD, CAM, CAE or other systems. The typical output is data (model) in STEP, IGES, STL or DXF format.

Use of reverse engineering

In the vast majority of cases, reverse engineering means digitizing parts and converting them to CAD, or creating a 3D model or drawing documentation of parts for which CAD data is not available or has been lost.

Reverse engineering strives for as faithful a copy of the original as possible. With the use of common laser or optical scanners, the digitization accuracy is sufficient for common parts, but for some types of very complex forms or parts with a complex internal structure, it is very difficult to create a digital copy of a physical object.