{"id":20552,"date":"2025-12-04T09:40:29","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T08:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mr-chemie.de\/?p=20552"},"modified":"2025-12-04T09:40:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T08:40:14","slug":"how-optical-3d-measurement-technology-combined-with-additive-manufacturing-can-solve-real-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mr-chemie.de\/en\/how-optical-3d-measurement-technology-combined-with-additive-manufacturing-can-solve-real-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"How optical 3D measurement technology combined with additive manufacturing can solve real problems"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOld machines, new challenges\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t by M. Montalti, Sales Development Engineer Reflecon, MR Chemie<\/font><\/i><\/font><\/i><\/font><\/span>


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In times of sustainability, raw material shortages, and\nincreasing individualization, there is a growing need to keep existing machines\u2014\nsome of which are decades old\u2014in working order. Particularly in industry,where many special-purpose machines, custom-made products, or imported devicesare used, problems arise when spare parts are no longer available for certain components.Original drawings are missing, installation space data is\nnot available, and standard components do not fit. <\/p>

Here, two modern technologies come together to offer an exceptionally powerful solution: optical\n3D measurement technology for the digital capture of real components and additive\nmanufacturing (3D printing) for the rapid production of individual components.\nThis article uses a concrete practical example\u2014a 70-year-old\nThis article uses a concrete practical example\u2014a 70-year-old\nmachine\u2014to show how these technologies solve real problems and why this approach can be applied to\nalmost any industry.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Recognizing the problem: No replacement, no drawing<\/b><\/span><\/p><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Many older machines still function perfectly mechanically and are economically valuable to businesses. However, it is often small details that make continued operation difficult or impossible. In our practical example, this is the PTO shaft of a 70-year-old vintage tractor. The PTO shaft drives attached implements by transferring power from the engine to the implement via the shaft. When not in use, the PTO shaft stub is exposed, allowing dust and dirt to enter the transmission through porous seals. Potential damage is inevitable. <\/p>

The catch: there are no spare parts. The machine manufacturer no longer exists. Drawings cannot be found. The component must therefore be accurately and reliably captured, redesigned, and functionally replaced\u2014without interrupting machine operation in the long term. This is exactly where the combination of optical 3D capture and additive manufacturing comes in. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Digitization as a basis: 3D scanning creates the\ndigital twin<\/b><\/span><\/p><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Optical 3D measurement technology is used to accurately capture the geometry of the shaft and the surrounding threaded holes. The machine area is scanned on site so that a digital twin of the real situation can be created. <\/p>

Our 3D scanning spray from MR Chemie GmbH is used for better, easier, and faster data acquisition. It creates a temporary matte, reflection-free surface, resulting in significantly more precise measurement results. <\/p>

Digitization is performed using a high-resolution laser scanner from Scantech, model Simscan-E. The data is evaluated and processed using Quick Surface software. <\/p>

The result is a highly detailed point cloud or mesh model that is transferred directly to the CAD environment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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From scan to idea: CAD design of an intelligent\nsolution<\/b><\/span><\/p><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The actual development work begins with the digital geometry of the installation space: Vision Center GmbH, a company specializing in reverse engineering and digital product development, uses the scan data to design a protective cover that fits the existing structure perfectly.<\/p>

Design objectives:<\/p>