what is 3d scanning or reverse engineering.
What is 3d scanning?
3d scanning is the process of analysing a real-world physical object to collect point cloud data on its shape and its appearance (e.g. colour) to get it into virtual world i.e. on computer software. The collected scanned data can then be used to construct three-dimensional models of the physical product.
Point Cloud Data
You have the product you wish to 3d scan. Imagine now that you sprayed that part with paint, with the individual specs of paint landing on the surface. If you were now able to remove the part without touching the paint you would be left with a “3D cloud” made from the specs of paint, these would define the external shape of your part. This is what a point cloud data is.
Almost all 3D scanners produce a point cloud, whether they are long range scanners for capturing data of large areas or industrial x-ray machines capable of capturing the geometry of the smallest parts, the details of which can not be seen with the human eye.
Mesh Data
A mesh, triangulated or polygon model is the next step up from a point cloud. It is more useful and is accepted into more software packages than a point cloud. A common mesh file type you may have heard of is an .stl or stereolithography file which is the main file type associated with 3D printing.
If you were to take 3 adjacent points and join them with a triangular “surface” then you would have created a mesh.
The collected 3D scan data is useful in a wide variety of applications. Some of the applications are:
Construction industry and civil engineering
As-built drawings of Buildings
Documentation of historical sites
Site modelling and lay outing
Quality control
Quantity surveys
Payload monitoring
Freeway redesign
Create Geographic Information System maps and geomatics.
Subsurface laser scanning in voida & mines.
Forensic documentation
Design process
Increasing accuracy and precision of working with complex parts and shapes,
Innovating new product development using parts from multiple sources,
Replacing missing or older parts,
Savings of cost by allowing as-built in design services
Sharing the scans overseas via mail instead of sharing part for inspection and computer testing
Saving travel costs.
Entertainment
3D scanning is used by the entertainment and gaming industry to create 3D models for movies & video games
3D scanning is heavily utilised in cinematography. It is much economically viable to scan the real-world object as compared to manually 3d designing the object or person using designing softwares.
3D photography
3D Miniature selfie.
Law enforcement
3D laser scanning is used by the law enforcement agencies. 3D scan Models are used for on-site analysis and documentation of
Crime scenes
Bullet trajectories
Bloodstain pattern analysis
Accident reconstruction
Bombings
Plane crashes, and more
Reverse engineering
Reverse engineering is the process of re-engineering or new product development taking already available product as a reference. In reverse engineering the required changes or design innovation has to be done virtually using highly sophisticated softwares. To get the virtual model of the existing product, 3d scanning is used.
Real estate
For sale and renting applications of Land or newly constructed buildings can be scanned and saved into 3d model, which allows customers to tour and inspect the property remotely, anywhere, without having to be present at the property.
Cultural heritage
Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality(VR/AR)
The environment or any surrounding can be captured and converted into a 3D model using a laser 3d scanner. This model can then be later viewed by the customers using a Virtual reality interface. This allows the customer to explore locations which are inconvenient for travel or adventure.
Medical CAD/CAM
3D scanning is used to capture the 3D model of a patient in orthotics and dentistry. It gradually supplants tedious plaster cast. orthosis, prosthesis or dental implants are then 3D Designed and manufactured using CAM software and 3D Printers or CNC machines.
Quality assurance and industrial metrology
3D Scanning technology is especially used in industrial quality assurance to measure the geometric dimension accuracy. Industrial manufacturing processes such as assembly are complex, typically based on CAD (Computer Aided Design) data. The accurate geometric dimension of the parts must be checked in order to assure that they have the correct dimensions after manufacturing and are free from dimensional changes during production process.
The process of comparing 3D data of the product against the CAD model of the same product is referred to as CAD-Compare, and can be a useful technique for applications such as determining wear patterns on moulds and tooling, determining accuracy of final build, analysing gap and flash, or analysing highly complex sculpted surfaces.
For free consultation about 3D Scanning in Your Project contact Designifying
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