Reverse Engineering in Glass Mould Engraving Design

To meet the needs of float glass manufacturers, Eclipse has demonstrated the use of radiant tube burners for auxiliary heating for the tin bath. This provides Eclipse with the most comprehensive portfolio of burner products for the glass industry. As computer-aided design (CAD) has become more popular, reverse engineering has become a viable method to create a 3D virtual model of an existing physical part for use in 3D CAD, CAM, CAE and other software. The reverse engineering is the process of taking a finished product and reconstructing design data in a format from which new parts or molds can be produced.

Reverse engineering is very effective way of relief modelling. The most preferred method is 3D scanning. Process steps are as follows:

1- The physical object (glass product, mould, plaster model etc.) can be scanned using 3D scanning technologies. A 3D scanner can be used to digitize free-form or gradually changing shaped components as well as complex decorations, textures or logos.

2- Scanning process is performed with probe contact scanning machine.

3- The scanned or measured data alone, usually represented as a point cloud (A point cloud is a set of three-dimensional points describing the outlines or surface features of an object.) lacks topological information.

4- The point cloud processed and modeled into a more usable format such as a triangular faced mesh, a set of surfaces or a CAD model. Merkad successfully utilizes the reverse engineering for relief creating. With this particular method, a sample relief model is scanned and then copied in 3D. After making all necessary and requested changes on the model, Merkad carries out the precise wrapping of the relief on a new base surface. After the design details have been finalized, Merkad submits the data, in DXF, STL or IGS file format, to the client for approval. The procedure is primarily computerbased, so any modifications can be made quickly and easily.