Practical questions and answers
What is reverse engineering?
Reverse engineering interprets an existing part and reconstructs its geometry for authorized documentation or modification. It starts with function and assembly relationships, not merely tracing the surface. A worn part may no longer represent the intended dimensions.
What is 3D scanning?
Scanning captures points or a mesh representing the surface visible to the instrument. Editable CAD requires reconstructed features, dimensions and relationships. Specify mesh, CAD or both so the handover matches the intended downstream use.
How do you validate reconstructed geometry?
Identify critical dimensions, fixing points and mating surfaces. Verify these through independent measurements or a fit test and document unmeasured regions. Safety-related or otherwise critical replacements require specialist validation before use.
Turn this guidance into a clear scope
Digitize existing parts and rebuild them for modification, replacement, or documentation.
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