DELCAM OFFERS REVERSE ENGINEERING FOR THE REAL WORLD

Delcam claims to offer the first reverse engineering system for the real world with the latest release of its CopyCAD software. The new version incorporates a range of unique new tools to help users produce smooth CAD surfaces from digitised data that can then be used in a wide range of product development applications, including the creation of CAD models from physical models, updating CAD master models to reflect modification to prototypes, the design of new parts based on existing components, and the repair of tooling where no CAD data exists.

“The quality of surface generated by most reverse engineering software is reliant on two factors – the quality of the model or component being scanned and the quality of the digitised data,” explained CopyCAD Product Manager, Chris Lawrie. “Unfortunately, in the real world, neither of the requirements can normally be met to a high enough standard.” 

“Most models produced by hand will contain small imperfections, while existing components frequently include defects, for example sink marks in plastic mouldings, or minor damage. Similarly, most digitised data will include a small number of “rogue” points that will inhibit the generation of smooth surfaces. As a result, a large amount of time-consuming editing is required before surfaces can be produced of the required quality.”
To overcome these problems, the new release of Delcam’s CopyCAD contains a range of unique “sculpting” tools that allow the user to interact directly with the model and so smooth any problem areas both quickly and easily. Options are available to either add or subtract material. In each case, the “strength” of the operation can be adjusted to give a coarse or fine effect.

Another common problem comes when trying to generate surfaces with a high degree of curvature from sparse data. Frequently, the surfaces will be able to be produced within the tolerance required but will be faceted, rather than smoothly curved. The new version of CopyCAD includes an additional option to add intermediate points in such areas and so produce a more even result.

Apart from problems with the quality of the results, the other factor discouraging companies from using reverse engineering is the complexity of the software. Recent releases of CopyCAD have seen major improvements in this area, in particular the addition of the Reverse Engineering Wizard that guides the user through the first stages of the process.

The latest release of CopyCAD takes ease of use a step further with new feature recognition functionality that suggests suitable positions for the user to create surface edges or construction lines. This is especially useful in highlighting the positions of fillets or sharp edges that will need to be identified in the CAD model.

CopyCAD can accept data from a wide range of scanning and digitising equipment. The software can be used either as part of Delcam’s Power Solution range of product development software or with most other CADCAM systems.