Solidworks model from scanned image.

[scrapper400]

Hi all,

I have no idea where to start on this one so essentially I want to be able to scan an item (15" cube approx) and generate a solidworks model from the scan.
Has anyone gone about this and how did they find this.
I haven't even purchased a scanner/software yet but have a budget of about $10k for the project. The scanner will be used on an ongoing basis after this so I don't want to farm out the work. I'd imagine hand held scanners would suffer from parallax so is it possible to get scanning cabinets with 3 (or 6) scanners to get a true image.

Sorry for my ignorance on the matter but I don't want to spend a lot of cash and end up with something that cannot export to SW or cannot achieve a decent level of accuracy (.008)

Rgds,

Scrap.

[dannirobot]

Hi Scrap

Take a look at this;

CNC Robotics - CNC ROBOTICS LTD, and for scanning equipment try this CNC Robotics - 3D Scanning Service.

I hope this helps!!!

[scrapper400]

Cheers Danni, I'll get onto these guys and have a chat. I'm keen to see what sort of tolerance they can work to.

[mcphill]

Can you post or send me a picture of the part? I can scan it in and reverse engineer in RapidWorks, making a SolidWorks model based on the scanned data. The accuracy will depend on the complexity of the part...

If you want to, e-mail info to mike(at)mcpii(dot)com.

[dannirobot]

Hi Scrap
So you want a tolerance (accuracy) of 0.008 inches = 0.21mm
The scanners I suggested can acheive an accuracy of 0.1 mm for the M, MH or MHT versions and even 0.05mm for the S version.
Comparative table

Kind Regards

Danni

[MatthewBasaraba]

No CMM/Faro/Romer in your facility?

Most CMM software, PC-DMIS 4.2 and newer, Origin Checkmate, Calypso, have an export option for points taken. It is easy to generate a surface scan or pattern of a surface with the CMM then export the IGES into AutoDesk, SolidWorks, Catia, etc.

I have done this many times with a Faro and a CMM to reverse engineer parts to create a model and print. If you have measuring equipment in your facility some times it is easier to utilize equipment already in place or upgrade, such as a scanning head for a CMM or Faro.