Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University 2012 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Reverse engineering (RE) has emerged as an important tool in the design stages of a product. The demand for better performance of hardware and software has spawned many different technologies that fall under RE. The diversity of technologies is linked to the different application areas of industry. It is critical to understand what the exact capability of each individual technology is, in order to choose the appropriate RE system. The objective of this study is to develop capability profiles of different RE technologies available, such as: Coordinate Measuring Machine, Articulated Arm (Cimcore), Non-contact scanner (GOM), and contact scanner (Renishaw). To achieve the objective, the different characteristics of each technology are measured and quantified. A capability profile can be regarded as defined criteria that represent the performance of a RE technology and in this study, is defined by quantifying the following characteristics:  Accuracy  Repeatability  Speed of Measurement  Work Envelope  User-friendliness. The significance of developing these capability profiles is so that they may be compared to one another. This is important, especially for the accuracy criterion, as each technology is manufactured by a different company, making an acceptable accuracy comparison amongst the different technologies impossible. The study also suggests an evaluation tool which will help a decision maker choose the appropriate technology for a specified objective. Guidelines are also given to potential end users of RE technologies on how they should go about acquiring the right system. On a more general level, the study contributes to research in recent trends, in the RE industry in terms of application, hardware, software and the selection of RE systems. By developing these capability profiles, the study aims to contribute to its value in academia, as well as for industry partners and potential RE end-users. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: RE het ontwikkel as n belangrike hulpmiddel in die ontwerp fase van ‘n produk. Die aanvraag na beter prestasie van hardeware en sagteware het gelei tot die ontwikkeling van baie verskillende tegnologie. Die diversiteit van die tegnologie gaan hand aan hand met die verskillende toepassings areas in die industrie. Dit is belangrik om die spesifieke eienskappe van elke individuele tegnologie te verstaan om die regte RE sisteem te kies. The doel van hierdie studie is om die vermoë profiele van die verskillende beskikbare RE tegnologie te ontwerp: Coordinate Measuring Machine, Articulated Arm (Cimcore), nie-kontak skandeerder (GOM) en kontak skandeerder (Renishaw). Die verskillende eienskappe van elke tegnologie word gemeet en gekwantifiseer. ‘n Vermoë profiel kan gesien word as ‘n vaste kriteria wat die prestasie van die RE tegnologie verteenwoordig en in hierdie studie word dit gedefinieer deur die volgende eienskappe:  Akkuraatheid  Herhaalbaarheid  Spoed van meeting  Meet volume  Gebruikers-vriendelikheid Die relevansie van die ontwikkeling van hierdie vermoë profiele is dat dit wedersyds vergelyk kan word. Dit is belangrik, spesifiek vir die akkuraatheids kriteria, omdat elke tegnologie by ‘n verskillende maatskappy vervaardig word. ‘n Aanvaarbare akkuraatsheid vergelyking onder die verskillende tegnologie is dus onmoontlik. Die studie stel ook ‘n evaluasie hulpmiddel voor wat die besluitnemer sal lei om die mees toepaslike tegnologie te kies vir die spesiefieke doeleindes. Verder word riglyne aan die potensiele gebruikers van RE tegnologie gegee oor hoe om te werk te gaan om die regte sisteem te kies indien die tegnologie nie in besit is nie. Op ‘n meer algemene vlak dra die studie tot navorsing by deur die nuutste tendense in toepassing, hardeware, sagteware en die keuse van RE sisteme in die RE industrie te beskryf. Deur hierdie vermoë profile te ontwikkel beoog die studie om waarde toe te voeg aan die akademie, vennote in die industrie en potensiele RE gebruikers.