As computer-aided design has become more popular, reverse engineering has become a viable method to create a 3D virtual model of an existing physical part for use in 3D CAD, CAM, CAE and other software. The reverse engineering process involves measuring an object and then reconstructing it as a 3D model. The physical object can be measured using 3D scanning technologies like CMMs, and Optical devices.

At Hanard we use this technology to generate a 3D Solid representation of the actual part, and provide insight in to GD&T requirements for manufacturing as well as generating paper copy drawings and GD&T inspection requirements.

Hanard has successfully used this technology to reverse engineer parts for the aerospace industry for the past 9 years; all our 3D modeling is accomplished using Catia V5R17 which in turn can produce files that could be translated in virtually any cad design software.

CAD is used to design, develop and optimize products, which can be goods used by end consumers or intermediate goods used in other products. CAD is also extensively used in the design of tools and machinery used in the manufacturing of components, and in the drafting and design of virtually all aircraft currently on the market.

Hanard offers this service as a result of reverse engineering activity and as a design function using Catia V5R17 software.

Models can be created based on data that your company uses currently to manufacture parts or assemblies, the 3D model generated can then be used for testing, analysis, and manufacturing purposes such as:

As each CAD system has its own method of describing geometry, both mathematically and structurally, there is always some loss of information when translating data from one CAD data format to another. The intermediate file formats are also limited in what they can describe, and they can be interpreted differently by both the sending and receiving systems.

It is therefore important when transferring data between systems to identify what needs to be translated.

If only the 3D model is required for the downstream process, then only the model description needs to be transferred. However, there are levels of detail. For example: is the data wireframe, surface, solid, annotations.

Hanard can translate and verify the transferred features to ensure that the translation has not affected the final model configuration.

Companies such as Boeing, Lockheed, and Airbus have implemented procedures that define the required verification process that need to be completed when translation of the model occurs.

Hanard uses standard ASME Y14.5M-1994 (Dimensioning and Tolerancing) standard and ASME Y14.41-2003 (Digital Product Definition Data Practices) for model verification and approval.

With product models, retaining the assembly structure may be required.

No matter what data is to be translated, there is also a need to preserve attributes (such as color and layer of graphical objects) and text information stored within the files.

Some translation methods are more successful than others at translating data between CAD systems, Hanard offers the following options:

Hanard offers CMM inspection to Customer specifications, drawing or 3D model based definition.

Coordinate-measuring machine (CMM) is a device for dimensional measuring. It is a mechanical system designed to move a measuring probe to determine the coordinates of points on the surface of a workpiece. These machines are used to measure the sizes and positions of features on mechanical parts. Often these parts have tolerances as small as .0001". The machine uses an X-Y-Z grid to determine its position on a worktable. The probe is used to touch different spots on the part being measured. The machine then uses the X,Y,Z coordinates of each of these points to determine size and position.

Zeiss MC 850
Zeiss DB 1200
DEA Brown and Sharpe Alpha Status

Hanard offers CMM programming to the customer specifications and onsite program verification. CMM Programming is offered in:

Zeiss Calypso 4.4 (or latest Version)

PC-DMIS CAD++ V4.2 (or latest version)