Machine guarding layout in SW

I'm tasked with designing machine guarding for many many machines, all
which are similar families, but different slightly from modifications
over the decades. (Some since the 30's)

I'm looking for a solution to accurately digitize 3D data, point clouds
or something better, into SolidWorks.

I've thought about a Faro arm type setup, but have no experience with
it and therefore don't know how it would handle measuring machines much
larger than it's max reach.

Other than the "good" old tape measure, what if anything have all of
you used out there for this type of application?

Currently since we have such low accuracy in measuring and knowing the
envelope of our machines, we tend to box things in much more generic
than need be. If I knew better measurements, I could add things that
would save the operator and maintenance mechanics time, and add to the
ergonomics.

--cutthroat

 

Try looking up Revworks. They have a faro type system that you can put
on a cart and get very accurate measurements and actually get data
right into SolidWorks. A laptop and this system and you would be in
business.

 

I know that Faro has a machine that will digitize a room - I think with
laser scanning, but I don't know the details for sure. I also just told you
about all I know about it.

WT

 

I have been using an 8ft Faro arm and Revworks for a couple years to do
reverse engineering on car sized objects. They usually require 1 or 2
moves of the arm to get the data that is required for my needs. I find
that Revworks is adequate for doing the simple point - plane type of
data gathering. For anything that would require surfacing I would not
recommend it. I have found that it is cumbersome at best for anything
but small patches. Depending upon what data you are trying to gather
and how large your envelope is, it is a good combination of tools for
going directly into Solidworks. As for the accuracy, it sure beats the
old tape measure. If you are doing simple structures that will bolt to
existing equipment it will probably be accurate enough. If I remember
what the salesman said correctly, the more you move your arm, the more
accuracy you loose.

 

Depending on the resolution and accuracy you need have you every
considered
photogametry?

http://www.photomodeler.com/

Len

 

a friend of mine doing boat design told me of the need to capture-to-CAD
handmade boat mold designs. He settled on www.creaform3d.com and Raindrop
Geomagic (he's also a fanatical Rhino user). He's into this solution for
something on the order of $60K or so. If you have a lot of machines to do,
then you **_may_** be able to justify this level of automation.

I'm_Larry_Today

 

That looks rather promising actually...

Especially considering the cost at $895.

Has anyone used this technology for reverse engineering and
fit-function type details?

--cutthroat

 

That's one solution I had wondered about, but not at that price.

The photo scanners I have seen would only do small scale parts, but
apparently this is larger.

As is the price tag.

--cutthroat