How 3D Scanning Companies Support Reverse Engineering and Prototyping

Imagine a broken machine part without any drawings or digital files for recreation. Picture creating a new product and then needing a way that is fast and accurate to test your brand. This often happens to companies, leaving them unsure of what to do. This is where hiring a 3D scanning company becomes important.

Industries are shifting towards faster and smarter design, manufacturing, and inspection with the implementation of advanced 3D scanning technology. A reputable 3D scanning company can recreate lost designs or assist with better prototypes. Get your 3D scanning done with Nel PreTech and get to market without delay.

What Is 3D Scanning?

3D scanning is the process of acquiring the size and shape of an object utilizing lasers or light-based sensors. It is used to generate an accurate digital representation, which can be explored and modified on specialized CAD software. By using this method, engineers can obtain the real size of the object without altering its properties.

With Chicago being a core of innovation and industry, many businesses depend on 3D scanning services to improve quality, increase the speed of development, and lower waste.

How 3D Scanning Helps Reverse Engineering

When people reverse engineer something, they try to find out how that something was made. This process is particularly useful when CAD models or drawings are not at hand. Whether renovating old equipment or understanding how your competitor has designed a product, 3D scanning technology is the first step in the reverse engineering process. 

Nel PreTech, a 3D scanning company Chicago, can scan your object and send the result in the form of a digital file for engineers to use in the process of improvements and replacements. This is particularly good for those legacy parts of a product no longer available.

What’s a common misconception people have about reverse engineering?

“I would say the level of accuracy that is achievable. Most online modeling tutorials that you find on YouTube or in “how-to” books use photographs or hand-drawn sketches as reference materials. While these modeling methods may give an end result that looks good, the model would be nowhere near accurate if compared to a real-world object. That’s where our metrology-grade scans come in. We use high-resolution/high-accuracy scanning methods to provide the best datasets available in the industry. The scans are then translated into an STL format that our specialized reverse engineering software can digest. We then use that dataset as a “scaffold” to build our models around. In most cases, we can achieve CAD surfaces that are within ±.001” of the original object surface if they are metal – plastic surfaces will usually be within ±.002 - .003”, depending on how good the form of the original surface is.” 

-Chad Manning (Design Engineer)

Improving the Prototyping Process

Prototypes are the link between the vision and the final product. It is important to get them right. 3D scanning provides the opportunity for designers to examine and enhance their early models without the need for a clean slate at every new stage of the process.

A 3D scanning company can save time to produce and test a new product by quickly turning the real object into a digital version through the use of 3D scanning and modeling. The digital versions are so accurate that direct 3D printing or modifications can be done on them at will. Hence, test runs can be done faster, even when compared with traditional techniques. This makes locally based small businesses in areas of Chicago more productive and successful.

Reducing Errors and Saving Time

An example of the main benefits of 3D scanning is precision. While regular measuring instruments may not be sensitive enough, scanners can identify all details of the object.  3D scanners offer repeatability, accuracy, and can often reach areas not picked up by traditional tools.

A dependable 3D Scanning Company (Chicago) can accelerate the complete operation, regardless of whether you are developing new items or repairing existing ones. The result is quick response times, less rework, and high-quality data.

Working with a Local 3D Scanning Expert

Being near a local partner brings convenience and builds trust. If you are near a 3D Scanning Company (Chicago), you can drop off parts for scanning, receive immediate support, and talk about your requirements in person.  Collaborate with experts who know your business and your area.

Business owners based in Chicago enjoy the convenience of having proficient scanning services available in the neighborhood.

Contact a Professional 3D Scanning Company

3D scanning has pushed companies to adopt a different perspective on reverse engineering and prototyping. It provides the speed, accuracy, and flexibility that old processes can’t. By hiring a professional 3D Scanning Company (Chicago), you can eliminate problems at a quicker pace and create better solutions for future needs.

For questions or a no-obligation quote, contact Nel PreTec Corporation.