3D Scan Data Reverse Engineering Design Intent Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reverse engineering processes face challenges in accurately determining original design intents and their parameter values from raw 3D scan data, leading to less precise and productive redesigns, as the data only represents the final geometry of an object.

Innovation Solution

An automated process that segments raw 3D scan data into mesh regions, allowing users to select and calculate original design intents such as extrusion directions, revolving centers, and filleting radii, using a CAD system to programmatically approximate these parameters from the scan data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If raw 3D scan data is used for reverse engineering, then the final geometry of the object is captured, but the original design intents and parameter values cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometry capture accuracyVSAvoiddesign intent information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual reverse engineering processes with an automated computerized system that uses algorithms to analyze 3D scan data and programmatically determine design intents. The system substitutes human expertise with computational methods including mesh processing, curvature analysis, and feature recognition algorithms to extract original design parameters from scanned geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms the analysis approach by changing parameters from direct measurement to derived calculation. Instead of directly reading design intent parameters, the system calculates them indirectly through geometric analysis of mesh data, using parameters such as curvature values, normal vectors, and feature detection thresholds to infer original design intents and parameter values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If manual reverse engineering is performed without automated assistance, then design intent exploration is possible, but the process is less precise and productive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign intent explorationVSAvoidredesign process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service reverse engineering by providing automated tools that perform design intent analysis without requiring extensive manual intervention. The computerized system independently processes scan data, identifies features, and calculates parameters, allowing users to obtain design intent information through automated calculation rather than manual exploration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer between the 3D scan data and the final CAD model. This intermediary system includes mesh processing facilities, feature detection algorithms, and parameter calculation modules that mediate the reverse engineering process, transforming raw scan data into meaningful design intent information that guides the redesign process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive design intent analysis is performed, then precision is improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign intent determination accuracyVSAvoidcomputerized process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex reverse engineering task into distinct modular components: mesh processing facilities for data preparation, feature detection modules for identifying geometric characteristics, parameter calculation facilities for computing design intent values, and user interface elements for interaction. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific functions, improving overall precision while managing system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7814441B2System and method for identifying original design intents using 3D scan data
Publication Date: 2010.10.12 HEXAGON METROLOGY KOREA LLC
  • US7814441B2 patent drawing
  • US7814441B2 patent drawing
  • US7814441B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Programmatic extraction and management of solid and surface modeling parameters from raw 3D scan data is discussed. An automated process reads raw 3D scan data and works in communication with a CAD system able to perform CAD part modeling. The user is provided with an automatic function to segment a mesh model (formed from the raw 3D scan data) into dozens of mesh regions. A graphical user interface is provided which enables a user to choose a type of the design intent along with the mesh regions from which the design intent is calculated. Each design intent is represented in a vector, a plane or a poly-line depending upon the type of design intent. In response to a user demand for the parameters of a modeling feature, a best approximation of the requested parameter value is calculated by processing the raw 3D scan data using a set of functions.