Automatic Conversion of 3D Scanning Data to Constructive Solid Geometry

The Air Force (AF) Rapid Sustainment Office’s (RSO) mission is to leverage mature, new, and emerging technology to reduce subsistent costs and improve readiness.  In pursuit of this mission, one of the RSO’s focus areas is advanced manufacturing.  Pervasive to current advanced manufacturing technologies, e.g., additive manufacturing, computed aided machining, etc., is the need for a 3D digital representation of components in a computer aided design (CAD) environment.   Scanning technologies, e.g., laser scanning FaroArm, can facilitate development of digital models from existing components.  However, despite recent advances to automate aspects of the process of converting scan data to a 3D digital model in a CAD environment, it is still labor intensive and requires a certain level of expertise.  Consequently, for the AF to continue to capitalize on the lead-time and cost reductions provided by advanced manufacturing, a technology to automate the process of converting 3D scanning data to 3D digital models in a CAD environment is needed.  In response to this need, ReLogic Research Inc. (ReLogic) is teaming with the PLATO development team at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to develop an innovative technology for automatic conversion of 3D scanning data to 3D digital models in a CAD environment.