REVERSE ENGINEERING
§ When
is reverse engineering used?
§ We'll
look at some examples of why reverse engineering is used.
§ The
article will go into some detail on how reverse engineering is carried out
along with some of the processes involved.
Reverse engineering, as defined by the Merriam-Webster
dictionary, is ‘the activity of studying the parts of something to see how it
was made and how it works so something like it can be made.’ But what does that
mean from an engineering perspective?
Applications
of reverse engineering
The main application of reverse engineering is to recreate
mechanical components or spare parts that are no longer commercially available.
The need for reverse engineering normally arises when there has been some
mechanical failure or machine functioning problems. Sometimes, excessive wear
to a component means that bad product features may need to be designed out in
the process.
Often the original manufacturer is no longer trading, or they
can’t provide mechanical designs or support. In these cases, reverse
engineering the components is the only viable option.
Some other situations that may require reverse engineering are:
§ To
gain a better understanding of a competitor’s product.
§ The
original suppliers or manufacturers are unwilling to share parts or designs.
§ When
updating antiquated manufacturing processes.
The
basic process of reverse engineering
Reverse engineering differs considerably from the normal
mechanical design process. When designing a new component, an engineer will
write up a design specification and use CAD software to sketch and draw the
item.
When it comes to reverse engineering, the engineer starts with
an existing item and works backward through the design process, i.e. creating a
CAD visualisation, then writing up a design specification from it.
The first step in reverse engineering is to capture all of the
relevant geometric data. This is accomplished by process of 3-D scanning or
photogrammetry. 3D laser scanning gives a highly accurate point cloud that is
better for highly intricate components, whereas photogrammetry uses digital
photography from many angles to create a less accurate point cloud, which is
more appropriate for systems where tolerances are not so important.
The next stage is to build a 3D model or visualisation using CAD
software. We will discuss the types of software used later on in this article.
The point cloud is uploaded into the software and mapped into polygons which
are then rendered into a 3D model. The model is then digitally inspected and
compared with the original object to ensure that the shape and dimensions are accurate
or within tolerance.
If a rough prototype is to be created, this will often be made
on a 3D printer. Again, inspections will take place to validate accuracy at
this stage. Then a final prototype will be made from the material that will be
used in the final product. Final checks will be done in comparison to the
original component and testing will take place. If the component is to be used
in machinery that is safety critical, rigorous destruction testing may take
place.
call: 9629435740/8220975505
Mail:learnerspointinfo@gmail.com
No comments