The reverse engineering process involves the use of 3D data to manufac
ture a part. A crucial element in the reverse engineering process is o
btaining 3D data of the part or its CAD model. The paper describes a l
aser-based system for reverse engineering. The laser scanning system p
erforms the crucial role of capturing the geometric details of the obj
ect. This data can then be processed by routines to accurately define
the object. This definition can then be used to manufacture a replica
of the part or scaled object. Also addressed in the paper are issues f
or integrating the laser scanner with other stages in the product deve
lopment and manufacturing cycle. This paper is an outcome of ongoing r
esearch aimed at manufacturing heat resistant tiles for the space shut
tle to fit cavities created due to damaged or lost tiles after each sp
ace mission.