Wexmar provides reverse engineering for machined parts when a drawing is missing, outdated, or never existed. We measure your sample part on coordinate measuring machines and an optical comparator, produce a dimensioned print for your approval, and then machine replacement parts on our CNC lathes, Swiss machines, and horizontal machining centers. Maintenance managers and engineers searching for a reverse engineering machine shop or reverse engineering services near me can send samples to our Canastota, New York shop near Syracuse.
What reverse engineering is
Reverse engineering a machined part means turning a physical sample into a usable manufacturing drawing. The sample is measured feature by feature, the measurements are interpreted to find design intent, and the result is documented with dimensions, tolerances, threads, and finish notes. Design intent matters because a worn or damaged part does not show its original sizes. A bearing journal worn 0.002 inch undersize should be drawn at its standard fit size, and a thread that measures between two standards should be identified as the standard it was meant to be. Once you approve the print, it becomes the controlling document for machining.
When a buyer needs reverse engineering
- Replacement parts for equipment whose manufacturer is out of business or no longer supports it
- Legacy parts with no drawing on file, or drawings too old or incomplete to quote
- Worn or broken parts needed to return production equipment to service
- In-house parts made years ago by a shop that kept the only drawing
- Government and industrial maintenance programs sourcing hard-to-find components
How Wexmar reverse engineers a part
- Sample review. We review the sample and any information you have, such as the equipment model, mating parts, or old documents.
- Measurement. Features are measured on our Brown & Sharpe Gage 2000 and Gage ONE CMMs, profiles and small features on our Mitsubishi optical comparator, and threads with calibrated thread gages.
- Design intent. Measured values are interpreted against standard sizes, fits, thread forms, and wear patterns.
- Print creation. We produce a dimensioned drawing with tolerances, threads, finishes, and notes for your review.
- Approval and machining. After you approve the print and confirm material, we machine the part and inspect it against the new drawing.
Material and heat treatment are usually not visible from a sample. We ask you to confirm them, or we recommend a material for your approval. Heat treat, plating, or other finishes are handled through qualified outside processors that Wexmar manages.
Machines used
Once the print is approved, parts run on the process that fits them: our Mazak Nexus, Multiplex, and Doosan Lynx CNC lathes with live tooling for turned parts, our four Maier MLK-32 Swiss machines for parts to 32 mm diameter, and our six Mazak horizontal machining centers for housings, blocks, and brackets. Wexmar does not offer 5-axis milling, gear cutting, or wire EDM, so parts that depend on those processes are reviewed before we accept the job. See our CMM inspection page and the machine list.
Typical measurement and machining capability
| Item | Typical capability |
|---|---|
| Measured diameters and bores | Resolved to 0.0001 in, interpreted to standard sizes and fits |
| Hole positions and patterns | CMM-measured to datums set from functional features |
| Profiles, radii, chamfers | Optical comparator measurement |
| Threads | Identified by gage and pitch to standard forms |
| Machined replacement tolerance | ±0.001 in typical on turned and bored features; tighter by review |
| Surface finish | 63 Ra typical; 32 Ra and ground finishes available |
Materials
We machine replacement parts in carbon and alloy steels, 300-series, 400-series, and PH stainless, Nitronic 50, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, titanium, and engineered plastics.
Quantity fit
Reverse engineering usually starts with one to a few replacement parts. Once a print exists, the part can be reordered at any quantity, and the drawing belongs to you.
Inspection deliverables
You receive the approved print, a dimensional or CMM report on the finished part, material certifications, and outside processor certifications, with first article inspection in AS9102 format available on request.
Getting a quote
Send photos of the sample, any known information, and the quantity needed, then ship or drop off the sample. You can also upload a drawing for an instant estimate when a partial drawing exists; a human estimator confirms every quote. Call (315) 400-2654 or email ron@backwell.com, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.