This section is for those new to the concepts of digitizing or wanting to know more. Digitizing is needed when you have a free form 3 dimensional surface and need to precisely describe the surface. When surfaces are geometrical, it is easy to measure a few key edges with standard machinist's measuring tools, and the item is fully defined so you can make a copy of it or a mold or whatever in CAD. When you have a free form 3D surface, you need special equipment to measure enough of the points required to sufficiently describe the surface.

1. Digitizing Arms and CMM's (Coordinate Measuring Machines)
These types of digitizing machines are more suited in the field of metrology (the science of measurements), and are primarily used for quality control work. However, many people use these machines for their CAD surface creation needs. These types of digitizers can be made to serve your CAD needs, but require different techniques developed to fit each unique model design.

2. Probe Scanning
Probe scanning is based on a sensitive probe or feeler that registers the 3 dimensional coordinates of any point on a surface that it touches. A rigid x-y-z mechanism moves the probe along one plane as it records point coordinates on the surface in the other two axes. The coordinates are recorded at regular increments, chosen by the operator in a trade off between accuracy and workable file sizes. At the end of each pass, the system then steps over and makes another scan in a parallel plane one increment over, much like the raster scan of a TV or computer screen.

Probe scanning has certain advantages in that we can raster scan 3 Dimensional objects in an organized point order at about 100 points/sec. This digitizing method also allows us to pick up 2D contours that are flat, such as punch contours very fast and accurately. Ideas in 3D uses a Renishaw Cyclone™ for this situation.

It is also possible to do probe scanning with a trigger probe that you would retro fit to your existing CNC machine. This method is somewhat slow but has some advantages at times.

3. Laser Scanning
The main advantage of laser scanning is that this method can create ten's of thousands of points on the surface per second. Edge definition using this method is a function of how close the points are at the edges which in turn affect the size and manipulation of these files. This in turn requires a point manipulation program that is specifically designed for this purpose however the edge definition can never be accurate.

This method is also very useful when digitizing clay sculpted animation models where non-contact digitizing is a must.

4. Reverse Engineering and Digitizing, or what we call: R.E.A.D.
R.E.A.D. is more than a reverse engineering solution - it's a revolution in the industry. Imagine tracing complex molds inside a true CAD environment. It's no surprise that this process will rapidly become the industry standard. We've met the wish lists of Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Design and Product Development with a system that's fast, accurate, and user friendly. R.E.A.D. shows off its true power when you need to digitize aerodynamic type surfaces. Typically, surfaces and contours are digitized with a touch probe or drag scanned using a hard probe. This flexible process allows you to gather data from an actual part and into the CAD model in real time as you design.