Producing Geometry You Can Trust
QC provided an engineer for our project who did a great job of collecting the dimensional data for the parts to be reverse engineered, creating the CAD models, and producing prints for manufacturing. He kept in regular contact with me throughout the project, allowing us to quickly resolve issues as they arose. He was also very responsive when asked to make changes to the prints. Overall, a superior job.
- Paul,
Power Generation
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Reverse Engineering with Precise Results
When it comes to reverse engineering a precision component, there are a few important considerations that should not be overlooked.
Every engineer wants good results from a scanned product. That expectation is often higher for precision components. Parts with very tight tolerances and critical surfaces require more care when planning and executing the reverse engineering process.
Too often, for example, the wrong equipment will be used to capture the geometry. Capabilities vary widely between scanning technologies. For a lower accuracy part, it doesn't hurt to use a technology that produces more precise results. But for a precision component there are far less technologies to choose from. It's critical that the right scanning technology is applied. This is discussed in some detail in upcoming webinars.
Critical dimensions should be checked using another inspection method to refine the scanned results. The reason is that many precision components contain features that require higher levels of accuracy than triangulation scanning can provide. Other methods include CMMs, vision systems, and confocal scanners.
A "second set of eyes" should review the final outcome before it reaches the hands of the customer. This peer review process is best done by someone with industry knowledge of the design and build of precise tooling and manufactured components. It's an important piece of the quality system in a good reverse engineering process.
These are but a few of the considerations that should not be overlooked when reverse engineering a precision component.
©2012 David DeVowe
