Reverse engineering
3D scanning is naturally becoming an integral part of reverse engineering. Recreating old replacement parts, discontinued parts or unobtainable original drawings is easy and convenient utilizing a 3D scanner – and gets you faster results.
The three basic stages of reverse engineering
- Information extraction: Study the original object to gather as much information as possible
- 3D modeling: Create a 3D model using the data you extracted
- Review: Test your reverse engineered 3D model against the original to determine its success
Applying 3D scanning to the reverse engineering workflow requires a 3D scanner and some 3D modeling software. The workflow process itself is quite simple.
3D scanning reverse engineering workflow
- Scan the original object using the SOL PRO 3D scanner
- Export your 3D model in one of the supported formats: OBJ, STL, XYZ, DAE, PLY
- Import your 3D model into your preferred CAD software, and apply changes if needed
- Measure or compare to original drawings and/or original object
3D modeling
This part of the workflow is about using a scan as a starting point or reference object for more complex 3D modeling. Users will create a 3D model using the SOL PRO 3D scanner and then import the OBJ or STL file into their modeling software of choice. Once imported, they can use the scan as an 'outline' of the model they wish to create or incorporate the scan into other work projects.
Read about product inspection workflow
Read our article about product and quality inspection
SOL PRO 3D inspection scanner
- Inspect volume, surface area, shape, size and texture
- Metrology-grade accuracy of up to 0.05 mm (50 microns)
- Desktop-sized and lightweight
- Includes software with highly automated calibration and meshing processes
- Delivers 3D models with no need for manual alignment or removing of unwanted artifacts
More applications where SOL PRO is favorable
Reverse engineering