Laser scan to 3D Solid

[Corky]

If you can afford to get RapidWorks - GET IT!!! It is a total steal at the price NextEngine is able to offer. The alignment and mesh working tools are FANTASTIC. It does take some time to learn how to use it, but I totally recommend it. I didn't have it for about 3 years, until I could save up enough to purchase it. I have much quicker time to usable models and much better "true to life" fit with RapidWorks than without. My only problem is I really don't scan items in too often, so I hit the learning curve again every time I scan something new and have to relearn how to manipulate the mesh.

I personally use SolidWorks for modelling, and BobCAD for CAM, so sounds like our approaches are similar even if our markets are not.

Thanks for your response, it was enough to push me off the fence.
Just pulled the trigger for the scanner and Rapidworks, the package should be here next week.
I figure that I only have a certain amount of time and money to spend, either learning a commercial unit, or trying to jerry rig someting from scratch, I choose the 1st.
I'll be posting some updates, and I'm sure some trials & tribulations also.

Thanks
Corky

[Corky]

Well I've been working with NextEngine and Rapidworks off and on again for the last couple of months.
At this very moment, if I could get my office window to open ---- well there would be carnage in the parking lot.

I have been trying to reverse engineer a small casting and am now having to resort to the more conventional methods, ie; layout table, CMM, calipers and anything else that would help.

I know that tomorrow (or some distant time) I may have another opinion -- but not today. grrrr.

[mcphill]

I understand your frustration, but this is by now way a turn-key or automated type of work you are trying to do. It is very complex and sophisticated equipment, and takes a good bit of time to learn how best to use it. The results can be FAR beyond traditional means, but it will take time to get proficient. I still struggle with RapidWorks, as I don't have the time to use it as often as I would like. The ability of the software is FAR beyond my ability to take advantage of it...

[Corky]

mcphill thanks for the vote of confidence.

I made the purchase knowing that there would be a tremendous learning curve before becoming proficient, and am willing to accept the fact that I am no where near that mark. I am, however, starting to question whether or not my goal is achievable using NextEngine. That goal is to be able to reverse engineer small parts to a relative amount of certainty that my accuracy is within NextEngine's claimed tolerances of ±.005. After working with the system I have my doubts, (at this time).

Are my goals too lofty? - or - are people actually achieving this amount of accuracy??


Thanks again

Corky

[mcphill]

I would say that ±.005 inches is "beyond" the capability of most any scanning system. Stated specs are achieved in ideal environments, with ideal parts, and everything perfect. No way do I think this should be a "base" expectation given all the handling and stitching needed for pretty much any scanning system.

Can you post a few pictures of the type of parts you are trying to do? For most any part I can think of, ±.005 accuracy is well beyond actual "real world" needs.