February 26, 2021
When you’re reverse engineering a new product, size is important, and what type of scanner you select matters greatly to the type of product you are trying to capture. In many cases, small- to medium- size projects are pretty straightforward—there isn’t a need to mark them to know what has been scanned and what hasn’t; reflections or transparencies can be easily managed; and more often than not, they are stable enough products to garner a clean scan.
However, when it comes to large projects, and when we say large, we mean buildings, boats, or planes—there are specific things you should consider when trying for a clean scan. Here are a few of our top tips you should use when attempting to reverse engineer a large product.
1. Stabilize the Item
In larger items, because of the time it takes to capture and the nature of the item itself, many times, it’s important to stabilize any moving parts before starting your 3D scan. Ensure that doors, wings, antennae, or any other mobile (or remotely moveable) part is secure and immobile before you start—this will prevent a lot of headaches that occur when things don’t match up.
2. Prep the Surface
While reflective and transparent surfaces always need to be considered, no matter the size of the product, a reflection can be impossible to scan through or over in a large item. In this case, make sure you have a clean surface—we recommend prepping with Aesub Sprays—to get a clean, precise scan.
3. Plan Your Scans
Because 3D scanning is dependent on the line of sight, you’ll want to plan out your scans on a larger object. That means that you may want to sit down beforehand and plan out your approach to ensure that you’ll cover every nook and cranny—and not come up with big gaps in the end.
If you’re looking for a great scanner for those larger products, we’ve got a great intro for you coming up. Check out this recording from our recent Webinar Wednesday for your own inside look at the Artec Ray—our top pick for large-scale projects. As always, if you have any questions or would like a demo on any of the products mentioned, please visit our website, or contact us with your questions.
