Engineering and digitisation
3D scanning: capturing parts digitally
A part, a tool, an entire assembly — and you need a digital image of it. For comparison with the CAD data, for documentation, for a mating design, or as the starting point for a new model. We scan, clean up and deliver the result in the format you can work with.
A 3D scan captures the surface of a part optically and produces a point cloud that is processed into a triangle mesh (STL). The mesh is an image — not a CAD model. Whether you need the mesh itself, a surface model derived from it (STEP), or a comparison against existing CAD data determines effort and result. We deliver all three levels and tell you beforehand which one makes sense for your purpose.
Three results that are all called a 3D scan
Order a scan and, depending on the provider, you get something completely different: a raw point cloud, a cleaned mesh, or a built surface model. All three are correct — for different purposes. The most common bad buy is an expensive mesh from which nothing can be designed afterwards, because a CAD model was actually needed.
| Mesh (STL) | Surface model (STEP) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Millions of triangles approximating the scanned surface | Mathematical surfaces built on the mesh |
| What it is good for | Deviation analysis, documentation, 3D printing, visualisation | Further design, mating parts, manufacturing, archive |
| In the CAD system | Can be displayed, but hardly edited or dimensioned | Fully editable like any other model |
| Accuracy | As accurate as the scanner — including noise and gaps | Smoothed and closed; regular surfaces brought to nominal shape |
| Effort | Scan plus clean-up: hours | Plus surface reconstruction: days, depending on complexity |
| File size | Hundreds of megabytes are normal | A few megabytes |
The third level is the complete redesign from the scan — with regular geometry, holes as holes, and a manufacturing drawing. That is reverse engineering and has its own page. There, the scan is the first step, not the result.
What you get
- A cleaned, closed triangle mesh as STL or OBJ — without scan noise, outliers and holes.
- On request, a surface model as STEP you can continue working with in CAD.
- On request, a deviation analysis against your CAD data as a colour map with report.
- Details of the achieved resolution and measurement uncertainty, so you know what the data says — and what it does not.
- The part back undamaged: an optical scan does not touch the surface.
What we need
The part — and an answer to the question of what the scan is for. That determines how finely we scan and in which form we deliver.
- The part, by post or for capture on site with larger or installed parts.
- The purpose: comparison, archive, further design, remake. It determines resolution and output format.
- Existing CAD data, if a deviation analysis is wanted.
- Notes on glossy, transparent or deep-black surfaces — they need pre-treatment.
- The CAD system you work in, so the format fits.
How it works
Four steps from part to file. No costs arise until you approve the quote.
Enquiry with photos
You describe part and purpose briefly and send photos — via the form or in reply to our confirmation email.
Assessment
We clarify whether the part can be shipped or is captured on site, which resolution is needed and which result you need.
Quote
You receive a fixed-price quote with a clearly named scope: mesh, surface model or comparison.
Scan and delivery
After approval the part is scanned, cleaned up and delivered. The part goes back by post.
What does it cost?
The scan itself is usually the smaller part. What determines the price is the processing: a cleaned mesh is done in hours, a surface model takes days depending on the geometry. That is why it starts with the question of purpose — and then a fixed-price quote in which the scope is named precisely.
- Size and complexity: a hand-sized part is captured in one pass, an assembly needs many views and their alignment.
- Surface: glossy or dark surfaces need a matting spray that is removed again.
- Result level: mesh, surface model or deviation analysis — each level builds on the previous one.
- Location: shipping in is cheaper than an on-site visit; with installed parts there is no way around it.
Enquiry and assessment are free. The quoted price is a fixed price; billing by prepayment, invoice with VAT shown separately.
Enquire about a projectFrequently asked questions
Which parts can be scanned — and which cannot?
Almost anything with a visible surface, from the size of a coin to a machine cover. Difficult are glossy, mirrored, transparent and deep-black surfaces — they are treated before the scan with a matting spray that comes off without residue. What cannot be captured are interior spaces without line of sight: a hole is captured to a certain depth, a hidden channel is not.
What do I get in the end — and why is a mesh not yet a CAD model?
A mesh (STL) consists of triangles approximating the surface. It can be displayed, printed and compared, but not dimensioned or changed constructively — a CAD system sees no hole in it, just a thousand small faces. A surface model (STEP) builds mathematical surfaces on it and is fully editable. Which level you need depends on the purpose; we tell you before the quote.
How accurate is the scan itself?
Accuracy depends on the method and the size of the part: with hand-sized parts a few hundredths of a millimetre are achievable, with large objects the uncertainty is in the tenths range. What we deliver includes a statement on this — so you know whether a deviation in the comparison is a real deviation or measurement noise. For toleranced functional dimensions, tactile measurement remains the reference.
Do I have to ship the part, or do you come to us?
Both work. Whatever fits in a parcel you ship insured — that is the cheaper route. Whatever is too large, too heavy or installed we capture on site; the travel then appears as its own line in the quote. A scan on site takes an hour to a day depending on the part; cleaning and processing happen afterwards at our place.
What is a deviation analysis, and when is it worth it?
The scan of the manufactured part is laid over the CAD model; every deviation is shown in colour and summarised in a report. It is worth it when a part does not fit and nobody knows why — whether manufacturing deviates, the model is wrong, or the part has warped. Or when accepting a supplier's delivery, if you want to know more than three spot dimensions.
Related
Do you need an editable CAD model with a drawing from the scan? Then reverse engineering is the next step. And for the basics to read up on: