Retro-Engineering Or Reverse-Engineering

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the terms "Retro-Engineering" and "Reverse-Engineering," particularly in the context of their legal implications and appropriateness for use on resumes in the field of manufacturing machines, instruments, and devices. Participants explore the nuances of these terms and their connotations within the industry, especially in the United States.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the legality and appropriateness of using "Retro-Engineering" or "Reverse-Engineering" on a resume, suggesting that it may carry negative connotations related to intellectual property theft in the US.
  • Another participant argues that major car companies regularly engage in reverse engineering as a standard practice to gain competitive advantages, asserting that it is legal as long as it does not infringe on intellectual property laws.
  • A participant shares their experience in a major car manufacturer, describing the extensive process involved in reverse engineering vehicles, which includes detailed measurements and scans.
  • One participant describes reverse engineering in the context of metrology, highlighting its utility in creating CAD models from existing manufactured parts, while also noting the potential for design theft and associated liabilities.
  • A participant expresses a desire to find a more suitable term for their resume that accurately reflects their experience as a Machine Component, Dies, and Mould Designer, indicating a need for clarity in terminology.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriateness and implications of using the terms "Retro-Engineering" and "Reverse-Engineering" on resumes. While some assert that reverse engineering is a common and legal practice, others caution against its use due to potential negative associations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best terminology to use in professional contexts.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the dependence on legal definitions and the context in which reverse engineering is performed, indicating that the legality may vary based on specific circumstances and practices within different industries.

IrvinME
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Retro-Engineering ... Or ... Reverse-Engineering ... !

My question is: The use of the Term " Retro-Engineering " is " Legal", I know it does mean " Reverse-Engineering " ... But my question goes further more than that, in case if we use it as an experience through our Resumes ... ! What kind of ideas does reflects, when they know that person worked in that field for a company of “Manufacturing Machines, Instruments and Devices" ...! ... I would like to share this matter with you, and I prefer the answer to be specifically (Inside the US.)... If it's legal or not ... !

It's all about how to express my experience in the field of Manufacturing Machines ...

Thanks ...
 
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IrvinME said:
My question is: The use of the Term " Retro-Engineering " is " Legal", I know it does mean " Reverse-Engineering " ... But my question goes further more than that, in case if we use it as an experience through our Resumes ... ! What kind of ideas does reflects, when they know that person worked in that field for a company of “Manufacturing Machines, Instruments and Devices" ...! ... I would like to share this matter with you, and I prefer the answer to be specifically (Inside the US.)... If it's legal or not ... !

It's all about how to express my experience in the field of Manufacturing Machines ...

Thanks ...

Perhaps your question is not translating well into English, but the term "Reverse Engineering" would not be something that I would put on a resume. At least not here in the US. It is generally associated with the theft of intellectual property, which will not endear you to most engineering companies here.
 


I don't know, all major car companies do this. For example, Ford will buy a BMW that competes with them and strip it down to every last nut and bolt to determine how the car was built. It's standard practice to get a competitive edge - and perfectly legal.
 


It's legal until you infringe on intellectual property laws.
 


Cyrus said:
I don't know, all major car companies do this. For example, Ford will buy a BMW that competes with them and strip it down to every last nut and bolt to determine how the car was built. It's standard practice to get a competitive edge - and perfectly legal.


I had a coop at a major car manufacturer and they mentioned this practice. It would take the better part of a year for a sizable team. Every single nut is measured and redrawn, every contour is scanned...it's quite the effort from what I gather.
 


I Apprecaite your time, and thanks for your comments and answers ...

I would like to learn more and I would like to find the " proper word ", for using it by my resume, because I was a Machine Component, Dies and Mould Designer for that company.

I was working for that company and they were manufacturing machines, depending on other designs, made by various countries ( Korea, China, Australia ... etc. ) ...
 


Reverse Engineering in the metrology world refers to using a coordinate measuring machine to take data points on a manufactured part and create a 3D CAD model from the data. This action saves hundreds of hours for the person in the CAD department. Imagine the requirement of converting a sepia ( engineering print) to CAD for a part that has been manufactured for years. If your were making aircraft engines and wanted to convert older models that had no CAD models, it would be a long process...hence the practice of reverse engineering..and this process could be used to " steal" a design , as well. but humans are involved and there is always this liability.
 

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