Reverse engineering is the process of discovering the technological principles of an object or component through analysis of its structure and function. Such analysis can then be used to redesign the object very quickly using computer-aided design in concert with rapid-manufacturing processes to produce small numbers of components adapted to the needs of a particular customer. This way of working has huge benefits of speed and flexibility over traditional mass-production-based design and manufacturing processes.

This edited collection of essays from world-leading academic and industrial authors yields insight into all aspects of reverse engineering:

. The methods of reverse engineering analysis are covered, with special emphasis on the investigation of surface and internal structures.

. Frequently-used hardware and software are assessed and advice given on the most suitable choice of system.

. Rapid prototyping is introduced and its relationship with successful reverse engineering is discussed.

. Importantly, legal matters surrounding reverse engineering are addressed as are other barriers to the adoption of these techniques.

. Applications of reverse engineering in three significant areas: automotive; aerospace; and medical engineering are reported in depth.

Reverse Engineering is a "must have" title for anyone working with advanced modern manufacturing technologies, either with a view to researching and improving them further or to making their company leaner and more agile in a competitive manufacturing marketplace.

The Springer Series in Advanced Manufacturing publishes the best teaching and reference material to support students, educators and practitioners in manufacturing technology and management. This international series includes advanced textbooks, research monographs, edited works and conference proceedings coveringall subjects in advanced manufacturing. The series focuses on new topics of interest, new treatments of more traditional areas and coverage of the applications of information and communication technology in manufacturing.

Autorentext

Professor Vinesh Raja is a Professorial Fellow in Informatics at the University of Warwick. He is in-charge of the Informatics Group, which encompasses the Virtual Reality Center (VRC) and the Collaborative Product Commerce Center (CPC) at the Warwick Manufacturing Group. He focuses on augmenting and extending everyday, learning and work activities with interactive technologies that move 'beyond the desktop'. This involves designing enhanced user experiences through appropriating and assembling a diversity of technologies including haptics, handheld and pervasive computing. The main focus of his research is not the technology per se but the design and integration of the digital representations that are presented via them to support social and cognitive activities in ways that extend current capabilities.

Dr. Kiran Jude Fernandes is the 40th Anniversary Research Lecturer in Management at the University of York. He has been a pioneer in the systematic study of Information Modelling Techniques and Tools and has studied their evolution using techniques from the Biological Sciences Domain. His research and teaching interests include strategic uses of information systems, information management, and the impact of information technology on the risks and benefits of outsourcing and strategic alliances. Prior to joining the University of York, Kiran worked at the University of Warwick and the NASA John C. Stennis Space Center.

Zusammenfassung
Congratulations and thank you for reading this book! You hold in your hand perhaps the first book solely written on mechanical reverse engineering from an industry perspective. The motivation for this book originates from the needs of today's global industry. We recall an incident during one of our industrial trips to a local manufact- ing company. The office secretary was photocopying documents for this me- ing, when the manufacturing manager remarked, Wouldn't it be nice if I could do the same with mechanical parts, it would save me and my team a lot of time and money. Have you not heard of reverse engineering? we asked him. - verse engineering, isn't that something to do with programming computers? No, we replied. Reverse engineering (RE) refers to creating a computer-aided design (CAD) model from an existing physical object, which can be used as a design tool for producing a copy of an object, extracting the design concept of an existing model, or reengineering an existing part. His eyes lit up. Such sit- tions are not uncommon in today's manufacturing arena. With globalization and trade liberalization, manufacturing companies face increasing competition from goods and services produced in lower wage eco- mies. Countries in the West cannot compete against low wages and must the- fore depend on raising innovation and best practices to create better products.

Inhalt
to Reverse Engineering.- Methodologies and Techniques for Reverse EngineeringThe Potential for Automation with 3-D Laser Scanners.- Reverse EngineeringHardware and Software.- Selecting a Reverse Engineering System.- to Rapid Prototyping.- Relationship Between Reverse Engineering and Rapid Prototyping.- Reverse Engineering in the Automotive Industry.- Reverse Engineering in the Aerospace Industry.- Reverse Engineering in the Medical Device Industry.- Legal Aspects of Reverse Engineering.- Barriers to Adopting Reverse Engineering.