Reverse engineering (RE) is used in the product development processes for generating surface models by the use of 3D scanning techniques. It is used to make 3-D images of manufactured components when a design is not accessible in order to re-produce the part. Then RE is also used to modify an existing part of a product to add new features, to enhance it or to replace a broken or worn out part. As the demand and popularity of Computer aided designs are increasing Reverse Engineering is becoming a realistic technique especially in the making of complex surfaces within a short span of time and with accuracy. It captures and digitizes the object surface geometry to be utilized in CAD /CAM systems.

The Reverse Engineering process can be explained in several steps. The very first step involves Scanning to develop an abstract model from a physical model. In this process the system records information about the process in the form of geometrical data. It can be of two types. One in which there are physical contact with the machine and the other in which there is no contact between the object and the measuring instrument. Once the data is captured the processing of captured data is done. The next phase includes surface creation followed by verification if there is any deviation in the data captured from the original surface model. The benefit of Reverse Engineering is that it produces parts in CAD with accuracy taking less time and cost. The main advantage of Reverse Engineering is the development of new products with added advantages leading to innovation and new market is certainly a result of RE.