3D printing can be one of the coolest things you have ever seen, but it may not be as accurate as you think unless it is partnered with other technology. The Air Force has always been on top of some of the most cutting-edge technology and pairing 3D laser scanning, and printing has worked immensely well for the military. This technology can accurately and quickly scan complex parts that would take hours to analyze.
This can be incredibly beneficial for the air force that has many planes that need many different parts. Adopting additive manufacturing can be one of the biggest changes in the air forces and bring necessary change to save our soldiers’ lives. 3D laser scanning allows for parts to be made faster and more accurately than ever before, helping the planes become safer and the military weapons to be more accurate.
The Air Force is now requesting outside help, calling everyone with the skill and ability to use 3D laser scanning. Anyone with ideas on how to help reverse engineer pieces to help get equipment up and running. They will be able to choose a solution by the end of March.
How does 3D scanning work for reverse engineering?
3D laser scanning works by taking rapid pictures of complex pieces and gathering information through sensors. It can take thousands of pictures per second, and the tiny lasers roam over the object to collect detailed information.
Reverse engineering means taking a piece apart to learn how it works when it is put together. This can be a hard process to do by hand. 3D laser scanning allows someone to observe the object as a whole piece in a partnering system. The engineers can look at it, edit it, and explore how pieces would work in the device.
The best part about this is that when everything is developed and edited in the system, the user can print the piece. This can turn out to be an exact working replica that has been created without actually taking the original piece apart. 3D laser scanning and printing makes working on massive equipment much easier. This is also why it has made a big impact in manufacturing.
Other branches have adopted this technology
Many branches have seen the impacts of 3D laser scanning and have adopted it for different reasons. It has helped create better ways to train soldiers, update their equipment, provide safer weapons, and has the potential to save soldiers. What are people doing with this equipment?
Virtual reality
This can be created with 3D laser scanning and provides a way for soldiers to train without being put at risk. They can get the full experience without putting themselves in real danger. This is one of the best ways to keep prepared and ready for any emergency.
Updated helicopters and planes
Many of the pieces that are needed by the military are not the easiest to get. When 3D laser scanning is paired with printing, it can open up all sorts of possibilities for pieces to be created to maintain planes and helicopters.
Final thoughts
The Air Force is adopting 3D laser scanning and asking for outside help. Soon you will see new solutions to problems they have been battling. We can’t wait to see how more of the military adopts this technology.