Reverse Engineering

"Reverse Engineering is the process of taking a finished product and reconstructing design data in a format from which new parts or molds can be produced."
-The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)

Reverse Engineering is also defined as "…the process of duplicating an item functionally and dimensionally by physically examining and measuring existing parts to develop the technical data (physical and material characteristics) required for competitive procurement."
- Military Handbook MIL-HDBK-115 (ME)

The most common applications for reverse engineering are:
  • Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) unable or unwilling to provide replacement parts
  • Prototypes with no models/drawings
  • Worn or broken components for which there is no source of supply
  • For base model geometry to edit and tailor for improved functionality or new application

Amtek Precision Products utilizes PC-DMIS CAD++ measurement software operating a Brown and Sharp Global FX7107 model CMM to gather all the necessary dimensional points on a part. Touch probing as well as analog scan probing can be employed to perform this task. Analog Scan Probing is employed to measure irregular geometries such a cam profiles, complex surfaces, compound radii, etc. Once the dimensional data has been obtained and married with the application data a solid model of the part can be created. Adding the solid model with a metrology analysis (material type, hardness, plating, etc.) the part can then be manufactured thru the various methods employed by Amtek (3D machining / milling, turning, grinding, polishing, welding).

2D Detailed Drawings of the part are then created and given to the customer. Amtek Precision Products has experience with reverse engineering the following products:
  • Cam Wheels
  • Bearing Journals
  • Connecting Rod Assemblies
  • Precision Shafts
  • Linkages

More on Measurement/Quality Lab:
Reverse Engineering
Product Inspection/Fixture Calibration
 
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