DSSP Process

Phase 1: Data Acquisition

Laser Scanning (Non-Contact)
Laser Scanning is the process of shining a structured laser line over the surface of an object in order to collect a point cloud of 3-dimensional data. The surface data is captured by a camera sensor mounted in the laser scanner which records accurate dense 3D points in space.

Types of laser scanners include:
Portable CMM Arm-Based Scanning
3D Laser Scanning Camera
Long-Range Laser Scanner
Conventional CMM-Based Scanning


Digitizing (Contact)
Digitizing is the process of taking point-by-point measurements of X, Y, and Z coordinates until enough data is captured to build geometric surfaces.

There are 3 types of digitizing tools:
Portable CMM Arm-Based Scanning
Portable Laser Tracker
Conventional CMM

Phase 2: Modeling

Reverse Engineering
Reverse Engineering is the process of measuring a part or object and then creating a CAD model of the part/object that reflects how it was to be designed originally.

Reverse engineering formats include:
Hybrid
Surface
Solid
Design Intent

Digital Modeling
Digital modeling is the process of creating a computer model of an object using a 3D laser scanner that exactly replicates the form of the object.

Digital models can be created in the following formats:
Polygonal
Rapid NURBS
Hybrid

Downstream Applications

Documentation/Archival
After your part or object has been laser scanned and modeled you now have a digital "backup" of your part.

This digital model will:
Protect you from accidental part loss
Provide you with a working "virtual" blueprint in order to rebuild or remanufacture
Give you the ability to start from a base model and create something new without having to start from scratch

Re-Engineering/Design
Using your digital model you can make engineering and design changes of your part or object in a variety of ways:
Add or subtract design features to the existing part or object
Use as a base model to design a new part or object

Inspection/Analysis
Using our advanced laser scanning and reverse engineering tools and processes, Direct Dimensions can inspect and analyze your part or object in a variety of ways:
Compare a scanned part/object to a "nominal" or perfected model
Compare a scanned part/object to a 2D drawing
Compare a scanned part/object to another scanned part/object

Replication/Reproduction
After we have laser scanned or reverse engineered your part, or if you have provided us with a model, we have virtually limitless options for replicating that object.

Replication can be used for:
Scaling
Restoration
Manufacturing Prototype
Products

Visualization/Animation
Once a project has been completed by our engineers, there are companies that have the ability to deliver your model as part of a visualization or animation.

You can also give them a completed model and they can make a visualization for you in a variety of formats:
Direct 3Dview
FaceScan
Animation
Rendering