NVision Helps Soft Air Produce Handgun Replica Three Months Faster |
(November 18, 2010) - Soft Air USA used NVision's laser scanning services to save three months in getting an Airsoft replica of FN Herstal's FNP9-17 handgun to market. This is a significant time-savings over Soft Air's previous process, which involved making silicon molds of real guns and using the molds to create injection molds that in turn make the replica Airsoft guns. Laser scanning saves time because it eliminates the need for manual touch up of the silicon mold and the resulting CAD model of the real gun can then be electronically sent to manufacturers in Asia. "Airsoft" refers to a specific type of replica gun that shoots lightweight plastic pellets at a muzzle velocity of less than 600 foot per second. The combination of the light projectile and relatively low muzzle velocity means that Airsoft guns are generally considered safe when used with safety equipment such as protective eyeware. Soft Air USA®, Inc is a subsidiary of Cybergun S.A., the world's leading manufacturer of replica Airsoft guns. Soft Air USA® has licenses from gun manufacturers such as Colt®, Sig Sauer®, IMI (Uzi®), Mauser, Thompson® and Kalishnikov. Soft Air contracted with NVision's Engineering Service division to make a laser scan of the gun. Laser scanning works by projecting a line of laser light onto the surfaces to be measured, while a camera continuously triangulates the changing distance and profile of the laser line as it sweeps along. A computer translates the video image of the line into accurate 3D coordinates of the object's geometry. NVision engineers create a point cloud consisting of millions of points and use the scan data to create a parametric solid model. The resulting CAD file is provided to Soft Air USA®. "The digital file produced by NVision duplicates every detail of the original gun with outstanding accuracy," Steele said. "This eliminates the time that was previously spent in manually correcting the silicon mold. We are also able to send the CAD file electronically to our manufacturing partners, which eliminates shipping time. Laser scanning helped us get this new product to market three months sooner than would have been possible using our previous methods. It also helps us attain a higher level of accuracy than was possible in the past. NVision's laser scanning services help us achieve a significant competitive advantage by getting to market faster with a better product." About NVision NVision, Inc. (www.nvision3d.com) was established in 1990 with one goal in mind: to provide customers with the highest accuracy non-contact optical measurement systems and services for Reverse Engineering and Inspection. Focusing our expertise on the aerospace, power generation, and oil/gas industries, NVision provides both contract scanning services and systems sales to companies throughout North America. Our elite team of engineers provides customers with an unmatchable level of experience and is able to advise and assist with the most difficult engineering challenges. NVision’s clients include industry leaders such as Alstom, Boeing, GE, Lockheed, Lear, NASA, Porsche, Raytheon, Siemens, Toyota, and every branch of the U.S. military.
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NVision was able to turn this around in a very short amount of time. Thank you and your engineering team for getting this done.
TIDEL ENGINEERING
Steve R.
The Viper you guys scanned last year is doing great!
GSPEED
Design Engineer
Thanks for great work.
SCHLUMBERGER
Engineer
You scanned a couple of boat propellers for us awhile back. I am happy to say it has helped us in improving our performance and we have set a new world record and a speed that exceeded any drag boat speed in history by 10 + MPH.
SPIRIT OF TEXAS TFH 807
Paul Kirkland
Thank you again for the scans. They worked great.
STRYKER MEDICAL CORPORATION
Portfolio Manager
The scan came out great, thanks so much. This will really help us with the project.
JW
Engineer Manager
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