Reverse modelling of 3D objects

I'm sure that if you sat down in a quiet place and contemplated the question by yourself, you could arrive at the obvious answer to this conundrum all by your lonesome!

Although I agree with Lynlynch, I feel tempted to light some more in your search in the darkness... but not that much, of course. You are looking for a model right? So it will never be the real thing, but must be capable of giving you some serious results that are able to predict the reality. So, you need a good approximation to the real thing. Two methods have just arise in my mind while I\m typing. 1- It could be made of simpler solids to get close to the big one you need. 2- It could be made from the external surfaces in, as you mentioned you are thinking about building the model in a facility. You could call it 3D scanning of the surface. Use a good 3D measuring machine, for example, to create a (big) set of points and surfaces as long as you have patience and time to do so and then import it to your modeling software. I'm sure you are using a good one that can handle it. I'm pretty sure you will be able to go on now.

Yes, the easiest way is to laser scan the object. Generally, the output of the scan produces a 3D file (i.e., IGES) that can be opened by a 3D CAD software package such as Solidworks, Autocad, etc.

You can buy a tool to scan this yourself, but it is cheaper and better to contract a company that specializes in this service. We have done this many times with very complex parts and the results have been very favorable.

You can do a 3D scan and get a point cloud and turn this into a solid model - I have done this for spine models of humans - but it is expensive.

This sounds a bit like something I have been wondering about--making a replacement part for something like a vehicle, a part for which no drawing or tooling exists.

Apparently there are digitizers that can produce the multitude of points needed for a 3D drawing/model. Software then cuts the model into very thin slices, after which it can be made layer by layer in a machine that deposits one layer, then the "stage" is lowered the thickness of one layer (just a tiny bit), and the next layer deposited. I think this process is called stereolithography.

I know they can do this in plastic which can then be used for casting, but I am wondering about metal, which I think is now possible, but answers have not been forthcoming very easily.

The 3D model, once captured in CAD, can be exported to a CNC machine where it can be machined directly. Solidworks and Mastercam work together this way and this is how we do complex flight grips for aircraft.

Do you have access to the originals to scan them?

Check out www.nextengine.com. They sell a low cost 3d laser scanner that works with solidworks.

If you need to scan in 3D and need to be able to do it at very low cost, then I can only recommend this website:-

DIY laserscanner

If you possess a CNC Router table, this might also be of interest for you:-

3d scanner 4 router

Tell us what you think......

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