It happens more frequently than it should, but it’s always annoying. There are times when we have an existing plastic part we need to create again, but the CAD model has been lost. A lot of people gets discouraged at the sight of such an inconvenience, but a professional manufacturer with the right prototype injection molding technology can solve this issue by applying some reverse engineering to recreate the molds that we need.
But What Is Reverse Engineering?
The right way to define RE is as a procedure used to replicate a product by handling a very detailed examination of the construction of the part as well as the composition of it. The service is used pretty often to recreate molds for plastic parts when the original CAD file used to design the virtual model of the piece gets lost.
How Does This Procedure Works?
As we mentioned earlier, the right manufacturer with updated prototype injection molding technology can make it happen. Reverse engineering is achieved by using computed tomography scanning. The first step is to scan the existing part with a FARO scan arm to create a digital reference point. The digital reference will be processed and analyzed with special software that is able to stitch the surfaces of the part digitally and recreate a usable CAD model. The CAD model can be handled as much as it needed to achieve the same conditions of the part or even to improve the design. Once the model is done, we can cut the new mold and recreate the part as you see fit.
Is it Reverse Engineering Accurate?
So far, the instances where it has been used have nothing bad to report in any stance. It doesn’t matter I the reference model is imprecise. Most manufacturers need only a basic point of reference to handle the rest on their own. The software available for these types of projects does a great job at filling in many blanks as it is. If the technician is experienced enough, he can manage the rest of the task with a high rate of success.
Who Uses Reverse Engineering Services?
Just about anybody who had stock of a part that they stop offering after upgrading the original product. While the new tech is out, there is a lot of products of the previous model still working and requiring the old parts to extend their useful life. Many companies do this to save money as they see maintenance as a way to put off buying new tech for a year or two; that way, they avoid overspending on new products.
