Do you have a part that you need reverse engineered?

Whether you’re looking to optimize an existing part or recreate an OEM part at a fraction of the cost, reverse engineering is a way to accurately replicate almost anything with or without the original drawings.

But how does reverse engineering work? And what makes Arbiser Machine the ideal reverse engineering partner? We’re breaking down our entire process so you know exactly what to expect.

How Arbiser Machine Reverse Engineers a Part

No drawings? No problem!

It’s helpful to see drawings if you have them. But even then, we’ll look for ways to recreate the part and make it better than before.

Our intensive reverse engineering process involves these steps:

1. Understanding fit, form, and function

This initial step is all about understanding the bigger picture of the part. We have conversations with the customer and internally to answer key questions, like:

• What is the end use functionality of the part?

• Are there any added features?

• How does the part fit into a larger component?

• What are the tolerance requirements?

• What materials or finishes were initially used and can they be substituted?

In some cases, we’ll also run a failure analysis to understand how and why the part broke down. A failure analysis helps us address faulty designs and make upgrades so you end up with a part that’s even better than the one you came in with.

2. Measuring the part

We have a variety of ways to measure a part, including traditional quantifying tools like calipers, micrometers, and pin gauges, and digital measuring devices like a coordinate measuring machine (CMM).

Our machine shop in Georgia is also equipped with a vision machine to capture fine details in tiny parts. We may even opt for 3D scanning.

Once the part is scanned, the machine automatically logs the measurements into our computer database system, allowing us to create CAD drawings from the gathered information.

3. Creating drawings

Our next step involves creating 3D models and drawings of the part.

We produce a shop floor drawing that includes all the details we need to recreate the part and a shareable customer-facing drawing that we’ll send for approval before moving forward.

4. Making the part

Once our CAD designs are complete and approved, we load the information into our CAM system. The manufacturing setup is already well on its way to making the part using CNC machining, Wire EDM, waterjet cutting, or whatever other capabilities are required.

Choose Arbiser Machine as Your Reverse Engineering Partner

When you need a trusted reverse engineering partner, Arbiser Machine has the skills and experience to get your part right:

• Technical expertise. Our machinists and engineers have more than 20 years of industry experience. We’ve made thousands of parts over the decades, so we know how to resolve even the most complex reverse engineering challenges.

• Proficiency with European metrics. Our team is very comfortable with European metrics and have reverse engineered plenty of parts. Maybe it has something to do with our Polish roots!

• Comprehensive equipment. We have more than just a lathe and mill at our Georgia machine shop. We have grinders, full CNC machining capabilities, wire EDM services, waterjet cutting services, and more. We have 25,000 square feet of space with all the equipment and capabilities to reverse engineer your part.

No drawings, no problem! Many other machine shops require a model for reverse engineering. But not us! You can hand us any part, and we’ll figure out how to make it.

Next time you need a part reverse engineered, bring it to the experts at Arbiser Machine. Request a quote and let’s get started!