# 034 - Mechanical RE

- Show: [Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast)
- Published: 2020-06-23
- Length: 1h 32m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re
- Listen: https://unnamedre.com/episode/34

## Summary

Aaron Moncur, founder, and Brandon Graham, product development engineer, from Pipeline Design & Engineering, discuss mechanical reverse engineering techniques for creating CAD models from physical objects. They detail the use of Geomagic Design X and SolidWorks to convert point clouds into feature-based models, explaining how this supports fixture design for medical devices. The guests also cover low-cost methods for hobbyists, including using photography with long lenses to correct barrel distortion, and the importance of tools like Mitutoyo calipers, gauge pins, and 3D printing services like Formlabs and Markforged for prototyping.

## Chapters

- [0:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re#t=28) Introduction: Aaron Moncur and Brandon Graham of Pipeline Design & Engineering
- [5:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re#t=338) Using Geomagic Design X and SolidWorks for Reverse Engineering
- [11:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re#t=662) Photography Techniques: Correcting Barrel Distortion for 2D Profiles
- [19:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re#t=1181) High-Precision Scanning: CT Scans and External Laser Scanning
- [24:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re#t=1453) Destructive Disassembly: Dremel, Sectioning, and Failure Analysis
- [36:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re#t=2205) Identifying Threads: Thread Gauges and Engineering Slide Charts
- [42:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re#t=2574) Measurement Tools: Mitutoyo Calipers, Gauge Pins, and Micrometers
- [57:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re#t=3451) CAD Software Alternatives: Fusion 360, Onshape, and Educational Licenses
- [1:05:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re#t=3921) Learning Mechanisms: Borrowing Designs and YouTube Resources like AVE and Big Clive
- [1:23:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re#t=4996) 3D Printing Hardware: Formlabs, Markforged, and Flashforge for Prototyping

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)
- Geomagic Design X (tool)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Mitutoyo (other)
- Formlabs (company)
- Markforged (company)
- Flashforge (product)
- Prusa (product)
- Onshape (tool)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- Hubs (company)
- iFixit (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S1E54 Serendipity in Mechanical Design, Gaining a 6th sense, SolidWorks Top-Down Modeling, How get the Most out of McMaster, Prototyping, SolidSmack Blog | Dan Slaski](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m) (Being an Engineer)
- [S5E15.5 PDX: Ian McEachern](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-17-s5e15-5-pdx-ian-mceachern) (Being an Engineer)
- [122: Modern Methods for New Product Development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-04-13-122-modern-methods-for-new-product-development) (Product Startup)
- [Episode 261: Our Favorite Tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-05-15-episode-261-our-favorite-tools) (Making It)
- [453: Half Made Zippy-Something](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-09-06-453-half-made-zippy-something) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-06-23-034-mechanical-re. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast.