Aluminum Saw

[Reddog]

Aren't there duplicator machines that actually use some sort of cad instrument to measure a model, then reproduce from those measurements?

Yup.
We had scanners that would make copying it pretty easy. But would cost you about the same $ as a new 4x4 truck to get it done.

[HolmenTree]

Deja vu back to the mid-late 1970s. It was business as usual for us logging with Jonsered 621, 80 and 90 saws. All metal, inboard clutches, you could go 6 mths or more before re-setting the points. Saw is worn completely out by one year. They got the job done, then along came the "plastic" 910 and a few yrs later the 630. Nobody liked change and alot of discussion was made over this new black composite material on our saws.
A factory press release was passed out to the camps by our Jonsered dealer. From this we learn our saws have the same composite material as what the F 15 fighter jets have in parts of their wings.
 Most of us younger loggers were probably pretty gulliable , but man F 15 fighter jet material on our saws was really cool.

Willard

[weimedog]

Aren't there duplicator machines that actually use some sort of cad instrument to measure a model, then reproduce from those measurements?

CMM's but they return a point mesh, and sometimes that's hard to replicate the actual spline used to create the model as those points make be used to define a spline close enough maybe..You would have to get a sequence of point locations and then use a variety of spline types  until you have a close enough representation of what you are trying to model...then from the splines build surfaces.....a collection for surfaces to define a model..then off to your machining package and hope it can evaluate and return a useable toolpath...yea you can work backwards.

[weimedog]

Aren't there duplicator machines that actually use some sort of cad instrument to measure a model, then reproduce from those measurements?

Yup.
We had scanners that would make copying it pretty easy. But would cost you about the same $ as a new 4x4 truck to get it done.

And what did the scanners return for data?

[Al_Smith]

A factory press release was passed out to the camps by our Jonsered dealer. From this we learn our saws have the same composite material as what the F 15 fighter jets have in parts of their wings.
 Most of us younger loggers were probably pretty gulliable , but man F 15 fighter jet material on our saws was really cool.

Willard

Many might not think so but some of the high impact thermal plastics are more durable than die cast aluminum parts .

In my own little life I was skeptical when their usage was first tried on auto engines parts . I took a scrap piece and beat on that thing with a 4 pound hammer and couldn't dent it ,crack it or do any damage .The same item in die cast failed miserably under the same onslaught .

[Reddog]

Aren't there duplicator machines that actually use some sort of cad instrument to measure a model, then reproduce from those measurements?

Yup.
We had scanners that would make copying it pretty easy. But would cost you about the same $ as a new 4x4 truck to get it done.

And what did the scanners return for data?

A 3D model we would place into one of our design packages to clean up.

[weimedog]

But what was the format? Three D model can be a whole host of types...surface models, solid models, Faceted, B-rep, point cloud.....was the file a Pedes, Iges, Acis, file? When I hear the "clean up the model" thing, a lot of times that means raw point data and the CAD guys have to construct one from that info. Or faceted where the facet intersections define point locations...and the CAD guys have to construct from that. But no true "model" was transferred only the info to construct one.

[Reddog]

It is proprietary info.  We don't even share the how to with a paying customer.
Bottom line you give them a part you want duplicated and they will give you a 3D solid model back in UG, Catia or Pro E formats that you requested.

[weimedog]

.  

http://www.artec3d.com

"A triangular grid algorithm developed specifically for large models will handle very complex models and harness your computer’s resources as efficiently as possible. "

That's called a faceted model..great for display and shading. Ok for machining as you traverse the facets..enough facets and you get good enough accuracy...translates well into famous brand of CAD because they...are based on a hybrid faceted modeler to get speed of display and speed to regen models to work the "associativity" concept!

This your deal?