RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., July 13, 2005- Geomagic Studio, Geomagic’s reverse-engineering software, is playing a critical role in returning NASA’s space shuttle to flight.
Geomagic Studio will be used to reduce risk and increase safety for the shuttle mission. As the shuttle nears the space station, it will roll over to expose its underside. Video surveys and detailed 3D scanning inspections using a 50-foot-long extension of the Discovery’s robot arm will be conducted to determine damage to the tiles underneath the wings.
Damaged test tiles modeled using Geomagic Studio
Scan data will be transmitted to Houston, where Geomagic Studio will be used to process the data and create a 3D model of the damaged tiles. The 3D model will provide the data to create tool paths for cutting facsimiles of potentially dangerous damage into an array of test tiles. The reproductions of the damaged tiles will be tested in NASA’s ArcJet facility to see if they can withstand the heat and stress of reentry.
If tile damage is considered too extensive for safe reentry and return to Earth, the situation could call for a spacewalk by astronauts to make repairs. In this case, the test tiles will be used to develop the step-by-step repair process that would be used during the spacewalk.
Geomagic engineers have been placed on call in case their technical assistance is needed during the flight.
“We feel privileged that NASA has selected Geomagic Studio software for this critical role,” says Rob Black, Geomagic’s account executive for the project. “It is a major validation of our software’s high level of automation, speed, reliability and accuracy.”
About Geomagic
Geomagic (www.geomagic.com) is a global company dedicated to advancing and applying 3D technology for the benefit of humanity. Geomagic’s scanning and design software solutions are used to capture and model 3D content from physical objects, organically sculpt complex shapes, and prepare products for manufacturing. In addition, the company produces powerful 3D metrology and inspection software that verifies dimensional quality by comparing as-built products to master designs. Geomagic’s Sensable Phantom haptic devices simulate the sense of touch in a digital environment.
Geomagic’s software and hardware are utilized by world-class customers in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, consumer products, toys, collectibles, coindesign, jewelry, fine art, heritage restoration, research, education, mold making, entertainment, training and surgical simulation. In fact, some of the world’s leading companies and research organizationsuse Geomagic software, including Ford, BMW,Boeing, Harley Davidson, Timberland, Mattel/Fisher Price, Lego, Pratt & Whitney, NASA, Schneider Electronic, 3M, Danaher and Invisalign. Geomagic is based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., USA, with an office in Boston, subsidiaries in Europe and Asia, and channel partners worldwide.
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Rachael Taggart
Geomagic, Inc.
+(1) 919-474-0135
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