Chapter 26 – Reverse Engineering

TL;DR: This chapter summarizes a representative set of algorithms that explain the way reverse engineering can be carried out by describing the way point data may be captured from an object and the way points from multiple views may be merged to form a single point cloud.

Abstract: This chapter summarizes a representative set of algorithms that explain the way reverse engineering can be carried out Reverse engineering is the process of converting dense 3D point data captured from the surface of an object into a boundary representation computer-aided design (CAD) model Different approaches to reverse engineering are necessary according to the type of object being scanned The chapter focuses only on engineering shapes Engineering shapes may be classified as conventional engineering objects or as free-form objects The chapter summarizes the steps necessary to go from a scanned object to a final CAD model by presenting a flowchart It describes the way point data may be captured from an object, and the way point data from multiple views may be merged to form a single point cloud It further discusses the reconstruction of conventional engineering objects, bounded by simple surfaces