3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
(OP)
I've got some parts that I would *like* to have 3D scanned. They are all tubular parts, some semi-complex, others VERY simple. The goal is to get these prototpye physical parts into a 3D CAD file that I can send out to get quotes on getting them reproduced. I would like to have them in a SolidWorks file of course.
I just talked to the first of many places and got pricing from $350 to $1200 PER PART! I've got 18 parts. Thats $6000-$42000. Good grief. I want to get this stuff reproduced so I don't have to build them all by hand, from scratch, every time. But sheesh, I can pay for lots of labor for that price.
So, my question is:
Isn't there any software that can take the output from these 3D scanning devices and *poof* translate that into a 3D solid model? If not, there definitely should be. I just think that is rediculous pricing for something that *should* be practically a point-n-click affair. The guy told me he had Catia. I'm sure those 3D scanners are expensive, but holy cow.
Is there a better way? I'm very much a SW newb. There's no way I can index this stuff and get it anywhere close to accurate, not to mention the time it would take me personally. The parts have bends at all different angles and directions. What I need is a way to get this into some kind of CAD file, probably an IGES (but I really have no idea, this is all new to me), from what I've been told, so I can get quotes on having it reproduced.
Please tell me there is a cheaper, similarly accurate, way to get the end result I need.
I just talked to the first of many places and got pricing from $350 to $1200 PER PART! I've got 18 parts. Thats $6000-$42000. Good grief. I want to get this stuff reproduced so I don't have to build them all by hand, from scratch, every time. But sheesh, I can pay for lots of labor for that price.
So, my question is:
Isn't there any software that can take the output from these 3D scanning devices and *poof* translate that into a 3D solid model? If not, there definitely should be. I just think that is rediculous pricing for something that *should* be practically a point-n-click affair. The guy told me he had Catia. I'm sure those 3D scanners are expensive, but holy cow.
Is there a better way? I'm very much a SW newb. There's no way I can index this stuff and get it anywhere close to accurate, not to mention the time it would take me personally. The parts have bends at all different angles and directions. What I need is a way to get this into some kind of CAD file, probably an IGES (but I really have no idea, this is all new to me), from what I've been told, so I can get quotes on having it reproduced.
Please tell me there is a cheaper, similarly accurate, way to get the end result I need.






RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
thread559-121641
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
FAQ371-376
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-1091
FAQ559-716
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
If I remember where to find them, I'll post. Meanwhile, try Google.
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
Best methods (expensive) Lasers or Xrays.
Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. And scratch where it itches.
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
http://www.rolanddg.com.au/
MDX-20 and MDX-15
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
Well, it will do a 3d scan, from a top surface, but depending on the resolution of the scan, the software then takes forever to load the image files and to export to a file.
I have made an STL file from the scan and imported that into solidworks and then asked solidworks to create a 3d model. there were over 800 entries in the stl file and solidworks appeared to hang while trying to create the model.
If you want to try it, I can probably scan your part for a lot less. I'd try with your simplest part.
If you can send me a pic of the part and a rough idea of the size, I can see what it might run. I warn you though that this can be a very slow process depending on your scan resolution. I just scanned a part that was pretty simple, about 1.5" x 2.25" and 1/4" thick (bottom surface was just flat so only need scan from top). At highest resolution, (about .002" per point) it took about 28 hours.
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
Otherwise, input the wire frame and then extrude, revolve or whatever using the wire frame as the guide ?
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
There is an auto surface tool, but there is no magic bullet. Curve networks need to be created using the boundaries and these curve networks are then used to create a NURBS patch. Multiple patches can be created all over the polygon surface and they all form with G1 continuity. You can get reports on the accuracy of the polygon fit. There are so many tools it is really amazing. RF has a clipboard to automatically copy and paste the surfaces you generate into SW or you can save them as IGES, Step, Parasolid.
Many people think because they can directly translate a triangulated file such a .dxf or .stl into another format such as .igs then they are making something solidworks can handle. But really this is making every triangle a bilinear nurbs patch. Triangles are not for solidworks. It is very heavy on the package. SW will not import more than 100,000 triangles and the program is basically non operational. So sure, you can import a file with 800 triangles and use it for reference geometry, or you can turn the vertices into points and import the points using a point import from floating point solutions, but if you really want to do your scan data justice and turn it into an actual cad model you need a package like RapidForm. Now I'm not plugin this one, but I have tried them all and I think it is the best, but its pricy.
Go check out the site and see some demos. They are a solutions partner to SW because there is a direct interface the programs have with each other.
Take it easy,
Ryan Foss
Mechanical Design Engineer
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
RE: 3D Scanning? Maybe for Donald Trump.
Hope this helps. Here's the info below:
Berding 3D Scanning
513 831-6620
741 Main Street
Milford, Ohio 45150
www.b3dscan.com