Ford Motor Company’s reinvention of Michigan Central Station continues as workers enter a restoration phase of heavy masonry work. The iconic building’s state of disrepair poses many challenges, but the use of innovative 3D scanning technology is helping to expedite the project and ensure historical accuracy of the rebuilding.

Metro Chicago-based Computer Aided Technology (CATI), with a facility in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, has been a long-time Ford supplier of 3D printing software and hardware. Ford recruited CATI to assist in the Central Station reconstruction project to use Creaform 3D laser scanners to create 3D models of various elements of the station to enable contractors to repair or replicate the structures.

Ford and its developers are intent on ensuring the historical design accuracy of the building. CATI is working to help replace or restore the large, ornate cast iron windows, decorative trim and elaborate ceiling tiles to their exact historic specifications.

A Creaform 3D scanner utilizes 15 laser crosses that digitally capture the shape of any physical object. It measures fine details, down to the thickness of a human-hair, and captures free-form shapes to generate digital mesh files. This type of scanning is for contoured surfaces and complex geometries which require massive amounts of data for their accurate description.

“Through using 3D scanning technology, we can digitize the elaborate designs you see today on the ceilings and windows, flaws and all. We convert the scans to digital files and make repairs, almost like manipulating digital clay,” said Dan Saperstein, CATI vice president of business systems. “3D scanning makes the restoration project more precise, saves time and enables us to take measurements that otherwise may have been impossible to obtain.”

Though work had been temporarily paused due to COVID-19, use of the 3D scanning saved countless hours and kept the project on track. Without these tools, measurements and designs otherwise would require laborious hours of manual reconstruction.

CATI spent several days onsite at the train station through planning and data acquisition and was able to deliver 20+ completed files, ready for manufacturing within a few weeks’ turnaround. Those files are now in the hands of Christman Brinker Construction who will begin the fabrication of the missing or damaged elements.

Ford purchased Michigan Central Station in 2018 as the centerpiece of a new mobility innovation district in Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood. The district will draw mobility innovators and disruptors from around the world to develop, test, and launch new solutions that solve urban transportation challenges on real world streets, in real world conditions. Construction on the train station is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.

ABOUT FORD

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services.  Ford employs approximately 188,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com

About CATI

Since 1992, Computer Aided Technology (CATI) has made it our mission to deliver and support the best product development solutions available. Our portfolio includes solutions from SOLIDWORKS, Dassault Systèmes, Stratasys, Desktop Metal, and Creaform.

We exist so our clients can focus on what they do best – design and manufacture their products. Our clients are experts in developing their products; we are experts in putting technology solutions in place quickly and efficiently and with a consistently high level of quality. From small design firms to Fortune 500 companies, we support thousands of market-leading companies in every niche of product development, design, and manufacturing. Computer Aided Technology has the tools, the experience, the knowledge and the dedication to bring your business vision to reality.

Anyone can sell you software or hardware; our goal is to earn the right to be your trusted advisor. For more information, visit us at www.cati.com or call 888-308-2284.