Difference between reverse engineering design and traditional forward design

The difference between forward design and reverse design;

Forward design:

Under the guidance of system engineering theory, method and process model, forward design is oriented to the improvement and modification of complex products and systems, technology research and development and original design, aiming at improving the independent innovation ability and design and manufacturing integration ability of enterprises. The so-called forward design, in simple terms, is based on the concept-physical object. In this process, the prototype of product design is made in advance by drawing or modeling, and then the product is manufactured according to the prototype.

Process: conceptual design → drawing or 3D modeling → manufacturing system → new products.

Starting from determining the expected indexes of functions and specifications, the requirements of product parts are conceived, and then completed through the procedures of design and manufacture of each part, assembly of inspection parts, assembly of inspection machines and performance test.

However, for complex products, the forward design method shows its shortcomings, such as large difficulty coefficient, long cycle, high cost and difficult product development. Because designers can't completely predict what will happen in the process of product design, it is unacceptable in time and cost if the whole product is overturned every time because of some local problems. If there is a way to correct local problems in the process of forward design, it is naturally good. The reverse design method is naturally developed and formed under this background.

Reverse design:

Reverse design refers to the process that designers digitally process the surface of product samples (data acquisition and data processing), reconstruct the 3D CAD model of products (surface model reconstruction) by using software that can realize reverse 3D modeling design, and further realize analysis, redesign, NC programming and NC machining by using CAD/CAE/CAM system. Reverse design is usually applied to the design of product appearance surface, which means collecting a large number of three-dimensional coordinate points from the object, establishing the geometric model of the object, and then developing the advanced technology of similar products.

Process: 3D object → 3D coordinate acquisition → copy or innovation → manufacturing → product.

Reverse engineering is contrary to the general design and manufacturing process, with physical objects first and models later. Copying machining is a typical reverse engineering application. At present, the application of reverse engineering has developed from simple manual operation to design, analysis, manufacturing and other activities using advanced computers and measuring equipment, such as obtaining the shape of the repaired mold, analyzing the physical model, innovative design based on existing products, rapid replication manufacturing and so on.

As can be seen from the above introduction, reverse design and forward design are just opposite processes.