Limits and hurdles of Reverse Engineering for the replication of parts by Additive Manufacturing (Selective Laser Melting)

摘要

Reverse Engineering (RE) combined with Additive Manufacturing (AM) allows for the exact or improved replication of complex parts. If done well, the process minimizes time, energy and material. With AM, the more efficient, simpler and lightweight redesigns of the reverse engineered parts can be manufactured. As RE of physical objects by 3D scanning is a relatively new technology, and as the software still has to be matured, some RE limits still hamper different projects. The goal of this work is to identify these limits and to find solutions to overtake the hurdles. Diverse experiments and the real case for the replication of an old-timer aircraft wing holder are presented in this document.