Once tolerances are checked using XOV, a “live transfer” can export the design trees to SolidWorks, Siemens NX Unigraphics (U-G), Creo Elements Pro (Pro-E), Inventor, AutoCAD, CATIA, and other programs compatible with Rapidform’s Parasolid CAD kernel.
This method is used by a wide range of manufacturers including Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Toyota, Rolls Royce, Volkswagen, Hitachi, Panasonic, Oakley, Samsung, and Sony. But universities and other organizations use the software, as well.
The researchers that discovered and studied ancient drawings made on the walls of caves in Altamira, Spain, have used Rapidform in order to reproduce it and share it with humanity. After a section of a cave broke off, the team decided to perform a 3D scan of the drawings and carvings. It was able to reproduce the ancient artworks using XOR, and after careful inspection by the researchers, a CNC machine carved the drawings onto foam. Finally, they fit the pieces together and produced a complete artificial cave safe for visitors.
The Technical University of Kaiserslautern in Denmark uses the software to produce ultra-high-quality physical models needed to perform aerodynamic testing in wind tunnels and out on the field, but it also produces virtual models to test using computational fluid dynamic simulation software.
The program is still improving to save mouse clicks and time with updates like XOR3 SP1. This tool will continue to expand into many other fields as 3D scanning improves and people become more familiar with what the Rapidform process entails. I, for one, would love to see modeling of biological systems or structures too intricate for engineers to design.
Is this a tool every engineer needs to have under his belt to stay competitive in the modern manufacturing industry? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
I look forward to the maturation of 3D scanning. I hope it becomes accessible, like 3D printing, to the masses. I'm sure we will see countless bootlegging of products, but that the way the world works. It may force companies to create better products, beyond the quality of household printing.
I foresee someone taking the 3D scanned caves and building the places into their homes. Imagine if part of our homes were an accurate recreation of Werner Herzog's "Cave of Forgotten Dreams."
That was one of my favorite Herzog movies, and one of the few I've ever wanted to see in 3D (although we didn't get to). He is an odd duck, but definitely a genius--who else would have thought to make that movie? Having part of Altamira, Lascaux or Chauvet in one's living room would be an amazing experience.
With the recent development of the 3D rock printer, rear stone could be used. That is a wild idea.
Herzog did say some weird things in that film. Like, "Are we today, possibly, the crocodiles who look back into an abyss of time?"
On that note, he eluded to the fact that the crocodiles were a post idea to the film. And possibly not really related to the area where the film was shot. It's entertaining though...
Herzog is definitely a nut, but a creative, innovative one. I'd forgotten the crack about crocodiles--that was weird. If you mean the D-Shape 3D printer or others of its type, like I wrote about in a recent Future Cities blog http://www.ubmfuturecities.com/author.asp?section_id=262&doc_id=523906 they don't actually print stone, but some of its constituent materials: e.g., sand, gravel, or clay, using a binder. But that said, whatever came out of it would look like the real thing.
The D-Shape is definitely art-oriented, and also architecture oriented. If you look at the stuff the inventor has done with it, like fancy, swirly shaped architectural elements, I think it would be the perfect candidate for our cave art wall.
I wonder if there will be some fuss made about the ability to copy things without having to design them. Right now we have all kinds of inconveniences and limitations because of the crybabies. We have digital rights management code deciding if we can make a copy to keep in the car, or transfer to a different media, or make our own collection of music. Likewise with DVDs. And you just can't play a CD from other parts of the world, no matter how legal it is.
So just imagine the howels when somebody produces a copy of some overpriced item. We will have an interesting situation indeed. Imagine a "duplicate" Rolex watch, if you will. Of course, the quality may be really hard to copy, but not the image and appearance. At least that is how it looks to me. And just imagine what it would be like if somebody could copy some of the more serious military weapons. Grab one and scan it and then print out and asemble dozens.
So digital bootleging may inspire some sort of regulations, but I can't imagine how they would work.
The 3D printing revolution seems to have a knack for quickly moving technology ahead by way of collaborative effort and even a little friendly competition -- all of course in the name of scientific advancement.
Laura Sapiens' Ego! Smartmouse offers users a unique interactive experience by providing 2D and 3D connectivity, hardware identity authentication, data storage, and more.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
9 
