A new slicing method of reverse engineering based on the principle of refraction and reflection

The traditional slicing method of reverse engineering has been used in product measure from time immemorial. This method however has the disadvantage of low contrast of the cross-sectional pictures of an object. In order to overcome the said shortcoming, a new slicing method of reverse engineering, based on the principle of refraction and reflection of a prism, has been propounded. According to the reflectivity of the object, one of the illuminating methods-straight illuminating or inclined illuminating-is adopted. These methods can enable one to obtain the image of the cross-section of a bright object with a dark background or the opposite. Experiments have proved to show the advantages of this new slicing method for high contrast of the cross-sectional pictures. To eliminate geometrical distortions caused by the refraction and reflection of the prism, a mathematical transformation model can be set up to correct the image by using relevant software. Eventually, a RP model of a temporomandibular joint fabricated according to its slicing pictures is illustrated.