Hexagon Introduces New REcreate Reverse Engineering Software

REcreate will allow manufacturers to recreate legacy parts while innovating new products based on existing parts and prototypes.

The Hexagon REcreate reverse engineering software. (Image courtesy of Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division.)

The Hexagon REcreate reverse engineering software. (Image courtesy of Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division.)

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division unveiled its new reverse engineering software, REcreate, for its North American customers at this year’s RAPID + TCT event in Chicago. Attendees and visitors were given a first look at REcreate and its features. Hexagon demonstrated the technology’s capabilities in a real-world scenario alongside the Absolute Arm and Absolute Scanner (AS1) scanning system, which was used to capture 3D part data. The Absolute Arm delivers tactile probing and noncontact scanning, while the AS1 is Hexagon’s flagship scanning sensor for the Absolute Tracker and Absolute Arm systems.

According to Hexagon, the process of reverse engineering involves creating 3D virtual models from an existing physical part for use in 3D computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided engineering (CAE), and more. To achieve this, the scanning system first measures an object, which is then reconstructed as a 3D model. Reverse engineering can be used to analyze product functionality, analyze subcomponents, estimate costs, and identify potential patent infringement.

REcreate aims to reduce workflow complexity for modeling new products and repairing or replacing parts. It integrates CAD technology capable of producing 2D drawings besides CAD models. The software is also capable of working with machines that don’t use CAM data, as well as end-to-end CAD to CAM solutions. One of its key features includes direct modeling, which allows users to easily form the shape required.

“Our goal was to build a new reverse engineering software application focused on ease of use to handle dense point clouds from scanning devices, along with the ability to verify and design models in a single, robust CAD environment,” shared Ken Woodbine, senior portfolio manager for the Metrology Software product line at Hexagon. “Interoperability was also at the top of our list. REcreate works with a wide range of third-party systems and data capture devices. The software program can be used as an end-to-end reverse engineering solution, or as a complement to existing technology. It is the modern answer to the ever-evolving need to design and manufacture parts quickly and accurately.”

REcreate can be directly connected to scanning devices or can import mesh, solid, surface or point cloud data to capture important data for modeling. According to Hexagon, the software can start at any point in the reverse engineering process, allowing it to flexibly adapt to manufacturers’ demands. Original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and design engineers will now be able to reconstruct legacy parts as well as innovative new products from existing parts or hand-built prototypes. REcreate users can also update CAD models to reflect changes in the manufacturing or prototyping process.

The company scheduled numerous events throughout RAPID + TCT for customers and prospects. Hexagon subject matter expert Giles Gaskell held a presentation entitled “Empowering Quality Control and Inspection at Every Level with 3D Scanning.” Gaskell participated in the RAPID Thought Leadership Panel forum as a host, moderator and participant. The panel was composed of 3D scanning experts and leaders who utilize scanners for reverse engineering and inspection.

For more information, visit Hexagon’s website.