3D virtual models

Retro-conception (or reverse engineering) is the action of re-producing a product, a part or any other physical object in the form of a 3D virtual model.

This stage is part of an over-all process starting with the digitisation of the object which enables the creation of a point cloud (or STL), which is the basis for all reverse engineering work.

All applications linked to this work are independent of the source of the data (tomography or optical digitalisation).

A number of data-processing stages can then take place according to your needs :

1. Surface reconstruction
2. Rapid prototyping
3. Rapid tooling

To support surface reconstruction, an STL type 3D model or cloud point is required. This stage offers you the chance to import the results of the digitalisation of your product/part into your design software with real CAD entities !

It then becomes possible to:

1. Study your product/part in a familiar environment.
2. Modify the geometric characteristics of the product/part.
3. Archive the part.
4. Re-create a construction history.
5. Carry out the mapping of your part/product.
6. Develop a new product drawing on the basics of the old one.
   

From a surface reconstruction process it’s possible to get :

1. A 3D surface model of your part in STEP or IGS format.
2. A native 3D model depicted as a volume, a solid or any other entity CAO native CATIA® v4 or v5, SolidWorks®, Ideas MS® or ProEngineer®.

Creating a physical object from a 3D model (STL) without going through a complex industrialisation phase.

We can provide you with a prototype known as " rapid " ( based on its construction time) which matches the digitalised part, using the latest technologies in this progressive field : sintering of metal powder, resin polymerisation (various kinds) or resin powder, paper...

The different materials employed by these technologies benefit from continuous research and offer increasingly improved technical characteristics.

This method of production is sometimes of most use in the case of small batches of parts which present a modest mechanical challenge.

Creating a tooling system (design and maunufacture of construction moulds) from a 3D model (STL) without going through a complex industrialisation phase.
We can design construction moulds (injection for example) from a 3D model created by reverse engineering.

You would then have plenty of time to duplicate your part at will, to test it or indeed to embark on a large-scale manufacturing process (you own the tool files).