A New Method for Transformation of Scattered Point Cloud Data into Organised Data for Rapid Product Development

In the current scenario of rapid product development, laser scanners are widely used owing to fast measurement technique as compared to continuous contact scanners. For reverse engineered products direct generation of STL file using digitized point cloud data reduces time and error during the modelling process. In case of continuous contact scanners, after removing the noise, data can be arranged into matrix format. After this, matrix triangulation method can be used to convert point cloud data into STL file, without generating a surface model. A reduction in the number of point data is important while digitizing the object using laser scanners as data obtained is tremendous, which is not useful for perfect triangulation. And improper triangulation ultimately results in a STL file containing gaps or intersecting surfaces. To overcome this problem a new methodology "Row-Column" method is suggested for data reduction as also data can be arranged in a row and column wise format, so that matrix method of triangulation can be used. A case study is presented along with the validation procedure for generated STL file.