FARO, Autodesk and Geomagic at Jay Leno's Big Dog Garage

Recently we spent some time with Jay Leno at his shop with Autodesk and Geomagic as he explained how he uses the multiple technologies to retrofit and restore his amazing car collection. It's all pretty simple, really (although the intense technology behind the process is astounding) - whenever Jay Leno needs a part for one of his classic cars, he simply scans the part with a FARO Laser ScanArm and captures the original 3D data in Geomagic software. That data can then be taken to Autodesk Inventor to make modifications or to mesh the part digitally and is then sent to a Stratasys 3D printer where a prototype is created.

The prototype is an easy, quick way to verify that the part is correct and will fit properly into the car before taking the time to get it machined. This process allows Jay Leno to restore his cars to full working condition, even when dealing with models where it is literally impossible to order parts for. 

While we were there we decided to have some fun with Jay Leno and took a 3D scan of his face:

  

He thought some "slight modifications" were in order, so after some tweaking and a pass through the 3D printer, here is the final Jay Leno replica:

Pretty close, don't you think?

Watch the entire video here.

Learn more about the FARO Laser ScanArm.

MRO and the Advantages of Capturing Data in 3D

Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) is a common term in the aerospace industry. In recent years, automated tools have been implemented to streamline the process of capturing the digital data of physical parts. A recent article by Geomagic’s Alberto Griffa details out the various applications for MRO and the need for 3D point cloud processing.

Griffa’s article lists four main reasons that point cloud processing is ideal for MRO projects:

1. It captures and reconstructs parts as they exist, enabling engineers to analyze damage and its underlying causes
2. It enables engineers to accurately re-create parts for which no computer-aided design (CAD) data or documentation are available
3. It enables engineers to analyze situations where every part is different, due to factors such as manufacturing variability and tolerances, wear patterns, and stress
4. It improves asset management by speeding part reconstruction and inspection of as-built vs. as-designed parts, helping aircraft to return to flight much sooner

If any of these sound like they would benefit you, then you may want to implement tools that help you gather your data in 3D.

Some people still choose to use hand tools, but it is a manual process to collect the data, and the output is only in 2D. But with a device such as a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM), the data can be captured in 3D. A specific type of portable CMM, such as a laser scanner, allows users to streamline point cloud processing because they can quickly, easily, and accurately capture millions of points. Point cloud processing software is then used to create a surface model that can be directly transferred into CAD software.

Read the full article

Learn more about portable 3D laser scanners

PointCloud 6 - More Power for AutoCAD Users

With the recent innovations of laser scanners, more and more demand has been put onto the shoulders of software developers. So much more data is being collected at a much quicker rate than ever before. Laser scanners of today are capable of capturing millions of data points.. The FARO laser Scanner Photon for example, captures up to 976,000 points per second!

This is the reason why software programs need to be more powerful and capable of handling data points. Kubit USA for example has developed and released PointCoud 6 which is a standard plug-in to AutoCAD. PointCloud 6 is now able to handle billions of points within a single DWG file. To coincide with this, FARO Cloud 6 is also available. FARO Cloud 6 is also an AutoCAD program based application which allows you to load these large data sets into an AutoCAD environment. Now working with models and as-builts is unlimited with the handling of billions of data points.

To read the entire article on PointCloud 6 click HERE. 

Webinar: True Position Measurement

Today, manufacturers know that feature location in part design and production is crucial. To produce interchangeable parts in a manufacturing environment, great care must be taken to ensure that the design is accurate enough to allow mating parts to work correctly. Manufacturing processes must be able to produce parts in an efficient and predictable manner and final part measurements must be done easily and with confidence.  

In this webinar, we will introduce the basics of true position. We will show how true position is measured using traditional methods and hand tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gages. We will then show how true position can be determined using portable CMMs. This newer technology has greatly reduced the difficulty of measuring GD&T properties, including true position – providing accurate and convenient measurements.

What will you learn in this webinar?

• The basics of true position
• How true position is measured using traditional hand tools
• What are some potential problems using hand tools
• How true position can be measured using portable CMMs
• How advanced technology can provide improved results

Join us on Tuesday, September 21^st from 2:00pm – 2:45pm EST for this free, educational webinar.

Register Now

Business Tax Cuts to Help Boost US Economy

In another attempt to help stabilize an already weakened economy, President Obama has introduced a new $200 billion tax cut to business across the country that plan to invest in new equipment in the short term. Specifically, this bill would allow companies to write off 100% of new investments in plants and equipment between now and the end of 2011.

It is these companies that FARO hopes to help to provide highly advanced and accurate metrology equipment to make their business more competitive and more profitable. FARO’s focus is help meet the growing needs of businesses that are striving to survive during this uncertain time. 

Despite tough times, FARO continues to serve its customers by way of new products, services and even pricing. For example, the Laser Scanner Photon has been packaged in a promotional bundle that includes all the necessary components and accessories to have a complete laser scanning kit. This kit is perfect for any small to large sized business that is thinking of either getting in laser scanning or wanting to purchase an additional unit to their operation. For details on all FARO products visit www.faro.com

To read the full article on President Obama’s proposed bill, click HERE.

Personalized, Live Webinar: Introduction to Portable Measurement

In as little as 15 to 20 minutes, you can see how a portable CMM is used to take simple measurements such as angles, distance, and geometry or complex measurements such as circularity, concentricity, and flatness. Watch from the convenience of your office and at a time that’s most suitable to your schedule. You can even send in your own parts and have them measured – see it work on your parts and your application live.

The FARO Gage allows you to take accurate measurements across a wide range of industrial applications. Instead of shutting down your production line to take a part to a fixed CMM room, the Gage allows for true in-process inspection and eliminates costly quality control bottlenecks. The Gage improves upon conventional hand tools such as calipers, micrometers, various gauges, and even rulers and tape measures. The Gage can also end your reliance on hard-to-use and expensive traditional CMMs.

With an accuracy of up to .0004” and a working volume of 48”, the Gage is perfect for smaller parts and assemblies. With minimal training, machinists can quickly take accurate and consistent measurements while generating the inspection reports demanded by your customers today.

Made specifically to be used by shop floor personnel, the Gage is easier to use than fixed CMMs, but is accurate and powerful enough for advanced measurements including GD&T and SPC analysis. Setting up in seconds, it allows parts and assemblies to be measured directly on the machines producing them. 

The FARO Gage is the cost-effective solution to your metrology needs directly on the shop floor. 

Register for Your Free Webinar

Wind Turbine Factory Creates Jobs and Generates Interest in Wind Energy

Blade Dynamics, Ltc., a 3-year-old British wind turbine company, has announced plans to begin manufacturing turbine blades and components in part of the Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans. The start of this manufacturing is said to create at least 600 jobs in New Orleans by 2015. The blades manufactured are designed to increase the efficiency and performance of very high power turbines, but the bigger impact is that of wind energy awareness, according to local environmentalists.


Many renewable energy advocates who have been trying to get Louisiana to move away from fossil fuels in producing electricity believe that this is an opportunity to become a leader in renewable energy. "We're not suggesting that this would completely fix all of our problems, but we have an opportunity here to assume some leadership in renewable energy," said Beth Galante, executive director of the New Orleans office of Global Green USA, a nonprofit environmental organization.


More and more companies are thinking about wind as a true, reliable source for energy. For example, ATI Casting Service and Creative Foam develop products such as wind blades and hubs. What is important to note is that similar to the aerospace industry and other manufacturing industries, the wind power industry requires tight tolerances in all of their parts and assemblies.


Read the full story on Blade Dynamics.
See how ATI Casting Service and Creative Foam met their tight tolerance requirements.