Advanced Reverse Engineering Methods Based on Integrated Global and Local Techniques

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Frank-Lothar Krause
• Co-Applicant: Professorin Dr. Anath Fischer
• Subject Area: Production Systems, Operations Management, Quality Management and Factory Planning
• Term: from 2002 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5354855

In particular, a fast method is needed for automatically constructing piecewise C2 -smooth watertight NURBS-surfaces with sharp edges over scan clouds of arbitrary topology. Such a method would allow the automatic processing of scanned complex engineering objects using commercial CAD-systems. In the current state of the art, this problem is unsolved. A 3D mesh reconstruction method based on the neural network (NN) technique that avoids singularities has been developed at the Technion Haifa. A fast subdivision method for fitting surfaces to a mesh is being developed at the Technical University of Berlin. The research proposes integrating these NN and subdivision algorithms into the surface reconstruction process. The approach will yield NURBS surfaces that meet modern industrial standards. Through the experience gained at the TU Berlin and the Technion, the combined algorithm will be capable of solving the bottleneck in current reverse engineering methods. The proposal concentrates on the surface reconstruction process developed by the two institutes. This process is the core of any RE system. The RE system can later be used for distributed labor and can be used as a basis for a tele-manufacturing system.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel