 Reverse engineering solutions for finished component or tool production. Renishaws main scanning products are Retroscan, Renscan 200, Renscan 350, Cyclone and TRACECUT software.
All Renishaw scanning packages offer:
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Easy to use software allowing rapid job set-up
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Automatic unmanned scanning
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Scanned data manipulation
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Output for CAD/CAM systems
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Comprehensive CAM software for creation of CNC programs
What is digitizing / scanning?
 Scanning is the term used to describe the process of gathering information about an undefined 3 dimensional surface. It is used infields such as, tool and die, mould making, press tools aerospace, jewelry, medical and confectionery, in fact anywhere there is a need to reproduce a complex free form shape. During the scanning process an analogue scanning probe is commanded to contact and move back and forth cross the unknown surface. During this process the system records information about the surface in the form of numerical data. This data may then be used to create a CNC program to machine a replica or geometric variant of the shape.  Alternatively the data can be exported in various formats to a CAD/CAM system for further processing.
Why use a contact scanning system?
Renishaw continuously evaluates new developments and methods of gathering data. Currently, the best results in terms of accuracy and quality of surface finish are obtained using contact systems.
Contact systems have several fundamental advantages over non-contact systems:
- Treatment of surfaces to prevent reflections is not required.
- Vertical faces can be accurately scanned.
- Data density is not fixed and is automatically controlled by the shape of the component.
- Time consuming manual editing of the data to remove stray points is not required.
- Post processing for cutting can be faster as surface offsetting may not be required.
- Very tiny detail can be accurately replicated.
- Systems available
There are four complete systems available from Renishaw, three of which can be retrofitted to a CNC machine tool and one which is a stand alone scanning machine. Certain CNC machines have in-built scanning capability which can make use of a Renishaw analogue scanning probe and TRACECUT software. A comprehensive range of styli designed specifically for scanning applications is also available.
Retroscan - a retrofit scanning system for CNC machine tools.
Renscan 200 - an enhanced scanning system for CNC machine tools
Renscan 350 - harness the full power of your CNC by making use of in built scanning cycles provided by the CNC manufacturer
Cyclone - a stand alone scanning system designed for users who require the ultimate in high speed and fine details scanning.
TRACECUT software The heart of all Renishaw scanning systems is the TRACECUT software. More than just a data capture system TRACECUT enables you to manipulate data and then create an NC program or CAD output.
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