Sometimes there is no way to fully scan a part that has features hidden from sight. Since optical scanners are analogous to spray-painting with light, you must have line of sight on any feature that you want to “paint.” In many of these cases, the only viable option will be to use an industrial CT scanner. The cost and facilities requirements of CT scanners can be prohibitive for most companies, however, and outsourcing to a CT service provider might delay a project or pose IP issues that take time to resolve.
We’ve already covered techniques for creating models using the auto-surface tool combined with solid primitives. That approach works well for models that are predominantly free form in shape but have some critical areas that need to be expressed as proper CAD features. But what about the inverse?
Assembly scans are useful in several ways. They are typically more detailed and complete than single scans and can include features that would not be visible or scannable without disassembly. They are useful for viewing internal components and can even be used for diagnosing motion systems.
