New applications emerge as technology improves and the need to incorporate a method to enforce, validate and verify predefined standards for traceability, accuracy, reliability, and precision increases.
“As additive manufacturing techniques and technologies continue to mature, more and more industry sectors, companies and design teams are realising the tremendous potential that 3D printers, used in conjunction with 3D scanners, have accelerated innovation, operational gains, supply chain resiliency and on-demand small-batch production,” said Bryn Labuschagne, Sales Director of B&R Metrology.
“As additive manufacturing techniques and technologies continue to mature, more and more industry sectors, companies and design teams are realising the tremendous potential that 3D printers, used in conjunction with 3D scanners, have accelerated innovation, operational gains, supply chain resiliency and on-demand small-batch production.”
“As both technologies become increasingly democratised in terms of making digital information more accessible to the average non-technical user, coupled with the ease of use of the equipment and the lower price points of the equipment, engineering and design teams, as well as up-and-coming innovators, are paving the way for a modern engineering ecosystem that will transform the way products are engineered and produced in the future,” continued Labuschagne.
“For example the medical industry is constantly seeking out new, cutting-edge technologies to disrupt standard practices for the better. The industry is often using handheld 3D scanners for this, coming up with new ways to create custom orthotics and prosthetics. While these orthopaedic solutions may be newer, the technology itself has a long, proven track record across many industries.”
When a 3D printing project requires creating or enhancing an original 3D model or physical object, a 3D scanner can leapfrog a lot of additional work. A 3D scanner is a device that analyses a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance. If no 3D scanner is available, 3D models have to be created from scratch using CAD software. This can significantly slow down design and engineering timelines.
A 3D scanner is a device that analyses a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance
Reverse engineering is becoming a multifaceted topic. Potential applications are growing, including creating models for parts built before CAD existed, matching human limbs for orthotics and prosthetics, updating CAD models to as-built after a production process, repair processes, mould making and many more
On the other hand, using a 3D scanner can enable you to quickly and easily digitise a physical object to speed up any design, prototyping or reverse engineering process. All you have to do is scan the part using an affordable, professional-grade 3D scanner proven to capture 3D measurements of small and highly intricate parts. Within minutes, and regardless of your skill level, the 3D scanner generates a mesh file.
The mesh file, once cleaned and aligned using easy-to-use 3D scanning software, can be imported into your preferred CAD solution. You’re now free to make any changes or improvements you need to the 3D model.
Once you deem the 3D model is ready, all you have to do is send it to the 3D printer. The end result is either a prototype that you can then 3D scan again to make further modifications or a 3D model that can be produced in batches.
3D scanners can shave months and even weeks off of product development and R&D workflows. It’s important to also note that the unbeatable flow between 3D scanning and 3D printing is conducive for sophisticated additive manufacturing workflows, passionate hobbyists and everything in between. In reality, 3D scanning and 3D printing, when leveraged in unison, offer limitless possibilities in terms of creative and iterative experimentation in all phases of a 3D printing project, including conceptual ideation, design, production, reverse engineering, documentation, and maintenance and dismantling.
LK Metrology which has been manufacturing static co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs) in the UK since 1963 and diversified into the supply of 3D articulating arm metrology systems, otherwise known as portable arms, with the launch of a range of 24 machines called the FREEDOM arm in 2020. There is a 6-axis model for touch probing and a 7-axis version for multi-sensor metrology including laser scanning
B&R Metrology Solutions announced last year that it will be distributing the range of Scantech products that include 3D scanning technologies and equipment
Reverse engineering
Reverse engineering is becoming a multifaceted topic. Potential applications are growing, including creating models for parts built before CAD existed, matching human limbs for orthotics and prosthetics, updating CAD models to as-built after a production process, repair processes, mould making and many more.
What is driving this are new metrology sensors and more capable software, enabled by ever more powerful and cheaper computing. Creating 3D models for production based on hand measurements or 2D drawings is a financial and time burden no organisation can afford. 3D scanning for reverse engineering can do in hours what traditional methods can take weeks to accomplish.
Not only have these improvements advanced the state-of-the-art in high-end, high-accuracy applications, they have also opened new low-end uses operated by people less skilled in the nuances of reverse engineering but more attuned to their own profession.
For orthotics and prosthetics, 3D technologies are quickly becoming the preferred tools for industry-leading professionals. The accuracy, cost and time savings, portability, and flexibility of 3D scanning are unparalleled, and the benefits are hard to ignore. The overall learning curve for these technologies continues to plummet. Already, many physicians have quickly picked up the skills required to reinvent their practices for the modern age.
“3D printing has forever altered the world of prototyping and one-off parts production. As proof, anybody with access to CAD software and a 3D printer which, given the prevalence of cloud-enabled design tools and online service bureaus, is almost everyone, can dream up a new product today and hold a physical version of it in his or her hand tomorrow.”
B&R Metrology Solutions services have been further enhanced in that they offer their clients the opportunity to have their component or product accurately scanned then they will reverse engineer it, provide a functional prototype and once approved do the 3D printing for them
3D printing has the amazing ability to create end-use production parts in low quantities and at a low-cost. However, it does require one thing: 3D CAD. This is the three-dimensional data that is interpreted by the printer to create the shape of the part. In other words, no CAD, no print.
B&R Metrology Solutions’ 3D scanning/reverse engineering and printing service
B&R Metrology Solutions announced last year that it will be distributing the range of Scantech products that include 3D scanning technologies and equipment.
“Scantech has one of the most innovative 3D scanning technologies in the industry and we are proud to be able to distribute their products in South Africa. Scantech has specialised in the development, manufacture and sale of intelligent visual inspection equipment and provides professional 3D digital solutions for various industries,” said Labuschagne.
B&R Metrology announced last year that it is to further enhance its complementary product portfolio with the signing of an agency agreement with the Polish manufacturer of industrial 3D printers VSHAPER, a subsidiary within the Verashape Group
“Their R&D team have developed a series of 3D digital equipment with self-owned intellectual property rights such as handheld laser 3D scanners, composite 3D scanners, global 3D scanners, colour 3D scanners, tracking 3D scanners and global photogrammetry systems.”
“The company’s Prince series, which is capable of capturing extreme details and the AXE series with its high volumetric accuracy are global innovations and have gained great attention and recognition in the 3D digital field.”
No print? No problem
“3D printing has forever altered the world of prototyping and one-off parts production. As proof, anybody with access to CAD software and a 3D printer which, given the prevalence of cloud-enabled design tools and online service bureaus, is almost everyone, can dream up a new product today and hold a physical version of it in his or her hand tomorrow.”
“Often, though, the goal isn’t to create anew but to replicate the old, missing, or broken. If you need an old part and there is no CAD model or drawing available, what then? An old-school designer might look to a coordinate measuring machine to handle this reverse-engineering task, followed by days or weeks of CAD reconstruction.”
In 2020 VSHAPER launched a 5-axis printer called the VSHAPER 5AX
“Earlier in the year the company further enhanced our complementary product portfolio with the signing of an agency agreement with the Polish manufacturer of industrial 3D printers VSHAPER.”
“This product portfolio has now been increased with the addition of Scantech 3D measuring products. We can now provide a means of accountability and certainty in the production and manufacturing industry with coordinate measuring machines, portable inspection, portable scanning, reverse engineering and inspection.”
“Our services have been further enhanced in that we will be offering our clients the opportunity to have their component or product accurately scanned, we will reverse engineer it, provide a functional prototype and once approved do the 3D printing for them. Whether they are complex part designs or serial production components, we have the equipment to supply. You can either upload your 3D CAD files or we can do a CAD design for you.”
“We now have the complete service for you to quickly determine the feasibility of your product and rapidly get it into the market place.”
For further details contact B&R Metrology Solutions on TEL: 082 852 6371 or 072 392 4934 or visit www.brmetrology.co.za
