scan part and generate cad code?

[ATV]

Hi everyone,

I'm a total newbie to CAD, so I'm at loss when it comes to searching for an answer to my question -- I don't know the terminology on which to search!

Let's say you have some part that you want to copy. Rather than measuring the part and trying to redraw it in CAD software, is there some means where the part can be scanned (via laser?) and the CAD program automatically generated?

If so, anyone building their own scanner?

Thanks!

[ger21]

http://www.david-laserscanner.com/

[Mike Stevenson]

I did some looking around and if you go to this website:

http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/index.as...PROD&ProdID=10

You will note that they clearly state on the page:

"Compatible with CNC controllers with a probe input capability. Works with programs such as DeskCNC, TurboCNC, Mach2, EMC, MaxNC, and many others."

Looks good to me. I want one.

[Switcher]

What kind of part is it, & how big?


.

[ATV]

Switcher,

I don't have a part in mind. I was just curious what technology might be available to obviate the need to manually measure and program parts. Seems like a real time saver.

Looks like there are some cool options between the laser or a probe. I'd be really be curious to hear if anyone has tried them!