Reverse engineering application with three-dimensonal scanning data by using 3D CAD software

Reverse engineering is the analysis of the design and working mechanism of a system or object. In reverse engineering, the firstly specified object is scanned with optical or laser scanning devices.. The data obtained by scanning are transferred to the computer environment in point cloud or STL (Standard Triangle Language) format, based on this data, the solid model of the scanned object is created.. A prototype or final product is produced from the solid model created in the program. In classical manufacturing methods, the three-dimensional design of the model is made in computer-aided design programs, then it is produced by selecting the appropriate one from the computer-aided production methods. In reverse engineering, starting from the model produced, processes are carried out in the opposite direction of classical manufacturing. Reverse engineering processes are generally carried out with specially prepared programs for reverse engineering. Nowadays, reverse engineering processes can be made with CAD programs widely used in the industry for design. However, it is not known in the industry that these CAD programs can also be used for reverse engineering. The aim of this study is to show that CAD programs which commonly used in industry for design can be used in reverse engineering processes. Performing both design and reverse engineering operations with a single program gives the designer speed as it uses the same interface, and the cost of the second program specially purchased by companies for reverse engineering operations is eliminated. In this study, reverse engineering processes were performed in SOLIDWORKS, one of the CAD programs widely used for design in the industry. In the scope of the study, firstly sample parts taken from various companies were scanned. Then, the scanned parts were transferred to the CAD program in point cloud or STL format, and the CAD data of the relevant parts were obtained by arranging them in the reverse engineering modules of the program. Keywords: Computer Aided Design (CAD), 3D optical scanning, Reverse Engineering, STL (Standard Triangle Language)