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What is Reverse Modeling?
Thank you
for your
interest in Reverse Modeling Inc., provider of 3D scanners, Scanner
Software
and scanning services.
If you have any questions please feel free to
contact us: info@reversemodeling.com
or you can call us at 626-383-0121.
What is Revere
Modeling? Is it the same as Reverse Engineering?
Reverse Modeling vs. Reverse
Engineering
Many
people confuse the term Reverse
Engineering with Reverse
Modeling.
They are NOT the same.
-
Reverse Engineering, while many
people use it synonymously with
scanning a part and making a 3D model out of it, is not the same as
Reverse Modeling. Reverse Engineering involves more than just
modeling
(forward or reverse); it includes fit, form, and function.
This
includes material properties (material type, strength properties,
operating temperature range, etc), part function, interference check,
FEA/CFD analysis and
many other engineering related properties. Reverse Engineering
also involves interoperability of a part in relation to other
components of the entire system.
Usually the
intent with
Reverse Engineering is to reproduce a part or object to make a new one
that works or functions in the same way, but is not similar enough to
avoid
patent or trademark issues. This process has long been used by
many countries
including
our own government to understand and copy technologies from other
countries. Many companies use it today to understand their
competitor's products, in the hopes of producing a similar product or
to dispel misrepresentations about the product.
Reverse Engineeing in the
Software world, means decompiling and reproducing the instructions in a
program to produce a program that, while may be written or behave
differently,
will ultimately result in the same or similar output as the original
program. Many
companies use software reverse engineering today to develop, 3rd party
applications or plug-ins into an existing application.
With today's
technology, the
simplest way to capture an
existing model is to scan it using contact or non-contact 3D scanning
methods like
CMM, white light scanners, laser scanners, or CT/MRI. In some
cases, parts
are actually destroyed by cutting small, thin sections to capture cross
sections and mapping those cross sections into a 3D model. CT
scanning of mechanical parts, usually renders them useless because of
radiation.
Not long
ago, traditional
Reverse Modeling
involved using calipers, rulers, or CMM to measure points or dimensions
on a part then manually creating a primitive curve or line in programs
like Pro/ETM, SolidworksTM, or AutocadTM
to produce a full 2D or 3D CAD model, or generally working
drawings. While CMM can produce extremely
accurate results, the drawback tends to be speed and density of points
gathered, and measurements with calipers tend to be subjective.
Additionally, CMM can cause problems when working with soft materials
like clay. Most software applications today, that can read in
point cloud data, usually require a dense point cloud to create
useable/accurate
geometry.
Reverse
Modeling, using scan
data today, means that users can capture very accurate representations
of any geometry. This is especially important when attempting to
recreate free form surfaces on an object like a statue or car body.
The reverse modeling
process
today, includes: scanning an object, overlaying curves on top of
the
scan data and using those curves to create extrudes, lofts, revolves
and other
cad operations. Most applications today can create curves on scan
data include: RapidformTM, GeomagicTM, PolyworksTM, SolidworksTM,
Pro/EngineerTM, LeiosStudioTM, GSI StudioTM, and others.
RapidformXO
RedesignTM and
SolidworksTM are the
only software applications today, that can create a parametric cad
model directly from Scan Data, without the use of 3rd party
software. RapidformXO RedesignTM can
model parts directly from the scan data and transfer the entire
parametric history tree into SolidworksTM, UnigraphicsTM, and Pro/ETM. The
uniqueness of XORTM is the
ability to quickly make changes in the
software and then pass the changes parametrically into SolidworksTM. In
many cases a Cad application is not actually required with XORTM,
unless drawings are required.
SolidworksTM has
implemented Scan-to-3DTM into Solidworks2007TM.
Scan-to-3DTM enables users to use and manipulate scan data
(point clouds or meshes) and allow the user to create surfaces or
curves on the scan data to create parametric solids. It works in
much the same way as many of the mesh editing software today.
Whether you want to
re-create an existing part, or create a new one based on an old design,
Reverse Modeling is the process that users implement. Call it
Reverse Model, Reverse Modelling, or Reverse Modeling, the process is
the same, and no engineering is involved in the process, in spite of
the fact that engineers often do the work.
Advancements in technology
have made it possible for manufacturers to
create a digital parts library. Companies have reached a point
where technology is now a cost effective solution to reproduce their
existing designs into a useable CAD or mesh model. Reverse
Modeling as a process will enable companies to produce accurate models
faster to help streamline the whole engineering process.
For
questions or to find out
how Reverse Modeling Inc. can help your company create a digital parts
library, please feel free to contact us: info@reversemodeling.com
or you can call us at 626-383-0121.
Reverse
PartsTM is a trademark of Reverse Modeling Inc. All other
marks are property of their respective trademark holders. No
relationship, either direct or indirect, is stated or inferred by
reference to Pro/ETM or SolidworksTM or other
parties mentioned, unless specifically noted. Any questions can
be forwarded to info@reversemodeling.com
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Quick
Links
Reverse
Modeling Inc. * PO Box 4760 *
Covina * CA * 91723 * Direct:
626-383-0121