Reverse engineering sw

[JSenior]

So our first work appear to be really the scan of a nautic propeller. Goal: reproduce the 3d CAD design since it's an old model and no 3d model is available, so to be able to produce it using metal printing.
Discovered the company (part of a bigger one) does have an CATIA license and workstation available.
Starting with no real modelling experience such as ours, CATIA REV tools will be really helping us or its a too steep path to start with? DesignSpark will be able to easier model a complex geometry such as a propeller just following the imported mesh?

It really depends how simple the propeller is. Is it a single thickness? In the simplest method, you're effectively going to have to load in the scan and then model a 2D shape for the start and finish points (oversize the shape and orientation wants to be correct) and then draw guide curve splines from corner to corner. You then want to loft between them which I don't think you can do in DSPK (only Spaceclaim) - this should be simple in CATIA however, if you transfer the files after. You'll then want to draw around (in whichever program) the profile of the propeller, and cut this away from the solid you make. You can then model your boss, rotationally mirror the propeller around it, combine all and add in your rads as appropriate.

If it's not a single basic thickness this isn't necessarily the best way, but it depends on what they are wanting it for, and the tolerances required.


To Sebastian: 3D scanning would achieve far quicker and better results in this instance than any traditional method.

[davide445]

It really depends how simple the propeller is. Is it a single thickness? In the simplest method, you're effectively going to have to load in the scan and then model a 2D shape for the start and finish points (oversize the shape and orientation wants to be correct) and then draw guide curve splines from corner to corner. You then want to loft between them which I don't think you can do in DSPK (only Spaceclaim) - this should be simple in CATIA however, if you transfer the files after. You'll then want to draw around (in whichever program) the profile of the propeller, and cut this away from the solid you make. You can then model your boss, rotationally mirror the propeller around it, combine all and add in your rads as appropriate.

If it's not a single basic thickness this isn't necessarily the best way, but it depends on what they are wanting it for, and the tolerances required.


To Sebastian: 3D scanning would achieve far quicker and better results in this instance than any traditional method.

We will try using CATIA next days with some test files (we need to still receive the scanner).
A bit scared to approach such a monster parametric solid modeller without any training nor experience in CAD modelling.
Simply I can't find a cheap, easy and RE powered solution in the $1000 range.
(Autodesk) Delcam PowerShape-e it's free with also RE features, but need to try how easy is to use.
Rhino + some plugins is around $2000
Can't find any info about the pricing of 3dreshaper Meteor, so maybe this is also an option.
VRMesh Reverse it's in the $1200 range but appear to be more oriented in architectural reverse modelling.
Also did find BricsCAD Pro and PunchCAD Shark LT less than $1000, again no idea about the usability, nor they have RE specific features AFAIK.

[davide445]

Ok so received the scanner we are testing it.
First work before the propeller one is a pair of eye wear.
Understood before thinking about RE we need to have a clean mesh to work with.
I can use DAVID 4 and other free sw to create and clean the mesh, but I still need to remodel where the scan is not complete on tiny or internal parts such as the hollows or guides.
I did read good things about 3d-coat, any other suggestion?