How do we create meaningful origins?

When scanning begins, the scanner automatically creates a reference system in which the scan can be positioned.  This system is relative to the position of the scanner when the scan is started.  However, it is very common that the scan will need to be positioned or aligned with a specific coordinate system.  If it is not, a great deal of time can be wasted trying to identify and position a meaningful origin.

So, the careful positioning of origins allows straight-forward and fast manipulation of our STL file once they are imported into 3D CAD software.

One way in which this becomes useful is in allowing engineers and designers to easily compare scanned production components to original CAD data.  See our Bosch case study.

Because our scanner uses reflective targets to position itself in 3D space, we can place these targets in such a manner as to allow us to set the origin.

We can set origins using the following criteria:

• Three planes
• One plane, one line and one point
• Three targets
• Three references

En-scan will ask lots of questions about the components that you want us to scan and we will try to understand what result you are trying to achieve.  Once we have this understanding we can usually find ways to position the scan origin exactly where you need it.

For instance, if a component has three right planes, such as the sides of a cube, these can be used to determine a first origin from which others can be offset and rotated.

If a component has a cylindrical bore such as a bearing housing, we can prepare a simple centre finding jig as shown below.  This is the method that was used for Bosch in our case study.

If only one or two planes are available on a component we can use a pyramid jig as shown below.

For unusual components we can design and manufacture bespoke jigs in order to make your life as simple as possible by giving you the origin that you need.