Re: Rapid Prototyping and Reverse Engineering

From: Steve Farentinos (sfarenti@scf.usc.edu)
Date: Mon Dec 02 1996 - 21:32:11 EET


Mark K. Smith wrote:
>
> Does any one have information on the types of service bureaus that would,
> according to my definition, be reverse engineering service bureaus?
> Finally, any general information, or pointers to information, on the reverse
> engineering industry would be greatly appreciated.
>

We have been doing reverse engineering longer than we have been rapid
prototyping. Although there is some cross-over in software tools, these
two areas require very different skills. For us, reverse engineering is
as much an inspection process as it is a prototyping process. In fact,
we took the step into RP partly because we had the CAD tools and
experience from our work in "paperless" First Article Inspection for
aerospace, automotive and medical parts.

>Reverse engineering:
>Original part -> Point data (from digitizing) -> CAD model

>Rapid prototyping:
>CAD model -> STL file -> Physical prototype

If you rearrange the steps you outlined into a circle, then reverse
engineering can be seen as an important step in prototyping as an
iterative process. That is, start with the original part, reverse
engineer it, make any necessary changes, build the part with RP, then
re-digitize it to determine where you stand with respect to the
original. Of course, other steps could be inserted, such as physical
testing and manual shaping (sanding, filing, machining, etc.).

Steve

-- 
Steve Farentinos
PML, Inc.
201 W. Beach Ave.
Inglewood, CA 90302
310 671-4345
310 671-0858 Fax
310 671-1862 BBS
steve@pmli.com



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