3D Scanning and 3D Printing
Europac3D was recently approached by a member of the junior Great Britain archery squad asking if we could help with the reverse engineering and subsequent 3d printing of a replacement grip for his recurve bow used in competitive archery.
Typically standard grips, at this level of competition, need to be reshaped/adjusted relative to hand size and shooting style. Once this manual fettling is complete it is then necessary to reproduce/copy these adjustments for replacement grips and different bows. This is perhaps easier said than done and due to the manual fettling process results in no two grips ever matching perfectly.
To solve this problem Europac3D 3d scanned a grip that had been perfected by Thomas over time and fitted his hand perfectly. An Artec Space spider was chosen to complete the scanning because of its high accuracy and repeatability for relatively small components. The Artec scanner was born out of the need to scan objects in outer space and hence the name ‘Space Spider’, it has thermal stabilization and blue light technology that enables objects to be captured at incredible detail and precision. Total scan time was less than 5 minutes and a triangulated mesh surface model was then created inside of Artec Studio software.
The next stage for this reverse engineering project was to remove the original manufacturers logos and digitally re-cut the fixing holes to create precise parametric geometry ready for final 3d printing. The digital file was imported into Geomagic Design X software to make these adjustments. Design X allows the operator to quickly and easily interrogate imperfect scan data, create parametric CAD models that can be used in downstream CAD packages.
The corrected CAD model was then passed to the 3D print team in order to manufacture 3 grips in total. PA12 nylon was chosen as the most suitable material for the grip, using SLS technology. PA12 produces exceptionally strong, durable parts suitable for ‘end-use’ parts such as this one. After 3d printing the models were then tumbled in a vibratory finishing machine to create a super smooth finish on the final grips.
The final grips were shipped within 7 days from receipt of the original part and the customer was extremely pleased, shooting more than 2000 arrows within the first week.
Based in Cheshire, UK the Europac3D team has the unique position of being able to help customers at all stages of their 3D requirements, whether that be 3d scanning, reverse engineering, quality control inspection and/or 3d printing. Our unique skills set us apart from other 3d print bureaus by being able to help a customer even if they have no 3d modelling capability themselves.
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