Scan-to-CAD Solution| CADTech USA

Scan-to-CAD

Scan-to-CAD is a form of reverse engineering that uses 3D scanners to create a digital copy of a physical object, to be used as a reference for recreating the physical object as a CAD model. Reverse Engineering is a method of reproducing an existing product by examining and measuring its construction and composition. Reverse engineering is a very broad term that can be applied to many branches of engineering. All of our Scan-to-CAD solutions use our in-house 3D scanners for creating digital copies of physical objects. We also supplement our Scan-to-CAD solutions with mechanical design services that can be used to modify/enhance the CAD model or use the CAD model as a reference for bioengineering, packaging and mold design.

LEGACY SYSTEMS AND AFTERMARKET PARTS

When a part or component breaks down, sourcing a replacement from an OEM can be relatively easy. However, after the OEM has stopped producing the part or component due to various factors the only option left is Scan-to-CAD. In the field of mechanical engineering and design, reverse engineering for legacy systems involves reconstructing an existing physical object in digital 3D by closely examining and measuring it. Our solution uses the Scan-to-CAD approach, where we use our in-house 3D scanners to create a 3D digital copy of the physical object for use as a reference.

Aftermarket parts, unlike legacy parts, are parts made by third parties that are identical to those made by the OEM. Aftermarket parts usually cost less than their OEM counterparts for similar quality. In some cases, aftermarket parts can be of higher quality than their OEM counterparts. We employ a similar Scan-to-CAD solution to the one used in recreating legacy parts.

Our Scan-to-CAD approach allows us to recreate physical objects more precisely compared to traditional methods of measurement. We use professional-grade 3D scanners to create digital meshes that are accurate to between 0.1-0.2 mm. Creating precise high-resolution digital models is only one part of our solution. The other part is understanding the design intent of the object and what manufacturing process was used to create the part in order to correctly recreate it. Our 20+ years of experience in the mechanical field helps us in determining the manufacturing process used which is vital in how we approach the recreation process.

For more detailed information on our Scan-to-CAD approach, please see one of our case studies by following the link below. Feel free to contact us if you have a part or component that needs Scan-to-CAD services.

Case Study

MODIFYING EXISTING SYSTEMS (MES)

While Scan-to-CAD can allow us to replicate a part or component, modifying or building upon a replicated part needs one to have knowledge and experience in the field of mechanical engineering and design. Our Modifying Existing Systems (referred to as MES below) solution takes our experience in the mechanical field and uses it to build upon our Scan-to-CAD services.

Our MES solution is essentially a two-part service. It combines our Mechanical Design services with our Scan-to-CAD services. Our Scan-to-CAD approach uses a digital copy of a physical object obtained from our 3D scanners as a reference for recreating it. After recreating the part or component, we use our experience and knowledge in the mechanical field to modify the original design based on the requirements of our customers.

We take into account various design factors when modifying an existing part or component. Generally, we check the manufacturing process of the original part, and check if the modifications that are needed are compatible with the manufacturing process of the original part. In addition, our design choices are aimed at keeping the cost of manufacturing the part low. And most importantly, is to make sure that the part is designed on the DFMA – Design for manufacturability and assembly methodology.

For more detailed information on our MES solution or if you have a part or component that needs our MES services, please feel free to contact us by using the link below.

Orthotic designed using scanned mesh of hand as a refernce

BIOENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

Bioengineering is the combination of engineering principles with the field of life sciences to solve problems related to biology, health care, sports medicine and other fields. Our approach to bioengineering applications is based on our Scan-to-CAD solution. Similar to our Scan-to-CAD solutions for mechanical parts, we utilize our 3D scanners to capture the geometry of the desired object. In the case of bioengineering applications, most of the geometry captured is freeform and organic in nature. After capturing the geometry, our Scan-to-CAD approach for this application diverges from our normal approach.

In this application, after capturing the geometry, we skip the reverse engineering part, and use the mesh as a reference to design a part or component around it. In essence, it is a combination of our 3D scanning and mechanical design services.

Many companies provide 3D scanning services for capturing freeform and organic geometries, however, very few can utilize that as a reference to create CAD geometry around it. Our experience in the mechanical field combined with our expertise with multiple CAD software, lets us design intricate products around complex geometries.

For more detailed information on our bioengineering applications solution, please see one of our case studies by following the link below. Feel free to contact us if you have a project that needs such services.

Case Study

PACKAGING AND MOLD DESIGN

Our packaging and mold design solution primarily focuses on combining 3D scanned parts with freeform or complex organic shapes to CAD primitives to create a mold for use in split-cast molds and molds for thermoforming. A parting line is needed for creating split-cast molds. A parting line is the border that splits the core and the parts of the cavity. Creating parting lines from freeform or organic meshes differs from those of parts modeled in CAD. A mechanical CAD part is usually designed with the intent of casting, and appropriate drafting angles can be introduced as needed. For freeform and organic shapes, a parting line has to be traced around an object, and may have to be broken into multiple parts to create a multi-part split mold.

For this solution, we skip the reverse engineering part after capturing the geometry, and combine it with CAD primitives to create a mold. In addition, we can easily create precise physical molds by leveraging our in-house 3D printing service. Essentially, it is a combination of our 3D scanning, mechanical design and 3D printing services.

One of the applications of this solution is in creating molds of freeform or organic shapes for vacuum forming. With our in-house 3D printing service, we can offer our customers a complete solution from 3D scanning the part to a physical model, at the most time and cost-effective rate possible.

For more detailed information on our packaging and mold design solution, please feel free to contact us by using the link below.