Reverse engineering of clear solids using refractive index matching

Abstract

A novel approach is used to reverse engineer polymeric parts in a low cost, non‐destructive manner. Solids created from polymers with an index of refraction matching that of an immersion liquid are reverse engineered using a CCD camera. Serial images are taken as the part is immersed into the liquid or taken out of the liquid. The images are then used to create digital solid models from the polymeric physical model. The concept of the process, the hardware as a proof‐of‐concept demonstration, and results to understand the accuracy and limitations of the process are described.

Citation

Christensen, J. and Bandyopadhyay, A. (2000), "Reverse engineering of clear solids using refractive index matching", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 87-97. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552540010323592