Reverse Engineering is not just for hackers anymore

Reverse Engineering from laser scanning data is a growing trend, but few engineers have been happy with the output. We need to learn what to ask for, and educate the laser scanning companies on what we really want. SolidWorks parametric models from laser scanning data is a reality. Design intent is possible, not just dimensions in sketches, odd-ball dimensions, and imported bodies

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Comment by Fred Vierheller on January 11, 2010 at 1:59pm: By definition, Reverse engineering (RE) is the process of discovering the technological principles of a device, object or system through analysis of its structure, function and operation, has its origins in the analysis of hardware for commercial or military advantage (2nd War has many samples). Reverse engineering is also used by businesses to bring existing physical geometry into digital product development environments, to make digital 3d cad drawings of their own products or to assess competitors' products. Reverse engineering is the scientific method of taking something apart in order to figure out how it works.

One famous case of reverse engineering was the first non-IBM implementation of the PC BIOS which launched the historic IBM PC compatible industry that has been the overwhelmingly dominant computer hardware platform for many years.

Comment by Derek Beebe on November 4, 2009 at 6:48am: The biggest challenge I see is every object that is to be scanned may need a bit different approach than what you did last time. Scanning and then reverse engineering a rocker arm is a lot different from scanning surfaces for a whole vehicle and may require totally different tools. I believe using only a laser scanner is not the best solution. Having a set up with the capabilities of laser and a hard probe or CMM is the best. There are systems out there that are close to making this work but there is so much room for improvement. I really hope to see more discussion on here about this! Thanks for posting.