YOUR QUESTIONS
GENERAL 3D SCANNING
What is 3D scanning (sometimes referred to specifically as 3D laser scanning)?
What are the benefits of 3D scanning?
Who can benefit from 3D scanning?
Does the material of my part make a difference for scanning purposes?
Will 3D scanning damage my part in any way?
How does using a non-contact 3D scanner compare with using a CMM or calipers?
3D SCANNING SERVICES
What 3D scanning services do you provide?
How long does it take to get a part scanned?
Are there size constraints for scanning small/large parts?
How accurate are your 3D scanners?
What file types does 3DScanCo output it’s data to?
What CAD packages will 3DScanCo’s data work with?
What kinds of things can I use the 3D scan data for?
Can I get parametric data from the 3D scanner?
Can I create 2D paper drawings from the 3D scan data?
Where do we ship our parts to?
Do you provide on-site scanning services?
What is quality inspection, and in particular color-mapping?
How do you hold engineering tolerances on parts larger than a desktop?
3D SCANNING PRODUCTS
What products do you sell?
How much do 3D scanners cost?
Why do I need post-processing software such as Rapidform or Geomagic?
OUR ANSWERS
What is 3D scanning (sometimes referred to specifically as 3D laser scanning)?
3D scanning is the fast and accurate process of using a 3D scanner to convert physical objects into digital 3D data (in the most basic terms, it quickly and accurately gets your part into the computer). These scanners capture xyz coordinates of millions of points all over an object to recreate it digitally.
3D laser scanning in particular is a type of 3D scanning that uses a laser and cameras to obtain this physical data. There are many other types of 3D scanners besides laser, such as time-of-flight, white light, CT, and more. No matter the technology used, the resulting digital models have endless uses, some of which include: machining parts directly from the 3D scan data, reverse engineering, quality inspection, rapid prototyping, archiving, design, analysis, and more! Check out our 3D Scanning Technical Information page for a much more in-depth look at the world of 3D scanning. Go To Top
What are the benefits of 3D scanning?
Like most new technology, 3D scanning saves money and especially time at every point of the manufacturing process, anywhere from design to production. It allows you to access information previously locked in an unusable physical form and inject it into your existing CAD-based processes, extracting valuable knowledge in an unprecedented efficient way. This is often called a ‘physical to CAD’ or ‘physical to digital’ process.
The benefits of 3D scanning are too numerous to list here, but the fact that you are reading this page is a great indication that 3D scanning can help you. For a more in-depth analysis of the benefits of 3D scanning, move on to our 3D Scanning Technical Information page or see how our 3D Scanning Services can help you. Go To Top
Who can benefit from 3D scanning?
Basically, if time and/or money is valuable to you and what you do is involved with any point of a typical manufacturing process, then you can benefit from 3D scanning!
Look for signals like these to help you identify if 3D scanning can help you:
Complex Forms: Do you work with complex shapes or parts?
Measurement Difficulty: Is throughput affected by time/effort spent measuring?
Fighting CAD: Do you have to fight CAD to get it to do what you want?
Lacking CAD: Do you have a part with limited, inadequate, or missing CAD?
Legacy CAD: Do you have outdated or inherited CAD models?
Legacy Parts: Do you have parts with limited, inaccurate or no CAD model?
Packing Density: Do you need to fit more objects in tight places (interference issues)?
Restoration: Do you need to restore old or missing parts?
Scaling: Do you ever work on parts that are similar but scaled up or down?
Size: Do you need to assess a large object, structure, or environment? Or on the other end of the spectrum, do you need data from something small or with very complex, detailed features?
Aftermarket: Do you need to design around someone else’s parts?
Fit: Do you have issues making parts fit or seal? Do they have complex interfaces?
Performance Surfaces: Does shape affect performance of your parts (aerodynamics/hydrodynamics/flow)?
Ergonomics: Are ergonomics/human factors important to your products?
Hand Working: Do you ever hand work designs, prototypes or molds?
Documentation: Could the documentation of your object be improved?
Ornate: Do you ever work on ornate decorative designs?
Archival Storage: Have you run out of warehouse space for objects you must store?
Visual Model: Do you need to visually represent your object digitally in 3D for a website or other display purposes?
If any of these issues sound familiar to you, then 3D scanning can help you. Contact us today! Go To Top
Does the material of my part make a difference for scanning purposes?
Generally, no. Almost any material lends itself to 3D scanning. Although 3D laser scanners can have trouble with black, translucent or reflective objects (for obvious reasons), these objects can either be sprayed with a flat whilte talc powder or can be scanned with a different type of 3D scanner. It would be an extremely rare case if we could not scan an object because of its material. Go To Top
Will 3D laser scanning damage my part in any way?
Absolutely not. The lasers used in 3D laser scanning will not damage parts, and are even safe for your eyes.
How does using a non-contact 3D scanner compare with using a CMM or calipers?
3D Scan Data:
Non-contact 3D scanning can detect warpage.
Non-contact 3D scanning provides the benefit of full 3D data.
Non-contact 3D scanning captures millions of points (xyz coordinates) in seconds, fully defining the shape and size of objects. The data can then be measured more accurately than a physical part can be.
Because non-contact 3D scanning captures an entire part at once, there is no chance of missing areas and then having to go back to redo them.
Non-contact 3D scanning greatly reduces the amount of human error that is possible, especially compared to caliper measurement.
CMM / Calipers:
CMM outputs data in the form of a finite number of points (xyz coordinates), many of which have been manually taken.
Calipers provide only a measure of distance dependant on the accuracy of the position and person taking the measurement.
CMM’s and calipers do not capture an entire part at once. This brings in the element of human error when measuring a part.
Since CMM’s cannot detect warpage in an object, they are subject to misreadings.
Human error is a large factor, especially for caliper measurement.
Additional advantages of non-contact 3D scanning are that it removes the element of probe compensation error and is much faster on curved, free-form shapes. Unless you are measuring a box or an object with very prismatic features, 3D scanning provides a huge time savings advantage. Go To Top
What 3D scanning services do you provide?
We can scan almost any object you need. Large or small, rigid or curvey, shiny or dull, wood or aluminum, we can scan it. We even have the ability to scan the inside of parts. Please refer to the services section of the website for more information. Go To Top
How long does it take to get a part scanned?
We typically quote 2 weeks from part delivery to deliverable, but we can provide your 3D scan data faster if needed. In extreme cases, we’ve delivered data on the same day that the part arrived at our service center. We work with our clients to make sure they get their files on time and are happy! Go To Top
Are there size constraints for scanning small/large parts?
Small objects: While our average 3D scanners can accommodate parts with features as small as 1mm in size, we have specialized 3D scanning systems that can scan even smaller parts for us in order to serve our clients.
Large objects: There is no upper limit to the size of an object that we can scan. However, as objects get very large in size, the length and cost of the project increases. If your object is too large to ship, we have mobile 3D scanning options that we can travel with anywhere in the world in order to provide on-site services. Go To Top
How accurate are your 3D scanners?
Our average 3D scanners are accurate to +/- 50 microns, or .002 in (two thousandths of an inch) for any point in space’s xyz coordinate. This is generally more than enough accuracy to cover the needs of almost all 3D scanning projects. If greater accuracy is required, we have options that use specialized 3D scanners which can provide finer scan data. Go To Top
What file types does 3DScanCo output it’s data to?
Typically, we deliver files as IGES, STEP or SolidWorks parametric models. However, we are experienced in almost every CAD package and work with our clients to get them files in a format they require.
What CAD packages will 3DScanCo’s data work with?
3DScanCo is experienced in almost every CAD/CAM package and we work with our clients to get them the file in a format they need. Some examples of these CAD/CAM packages are SolidWorks, Pro/E, AutoCAD, Rhino, SolidEdge, Unigraphics/NX, ArtCAM, CATIA, and more. Go To Top
What kinds of things can I use the 3D scan data for?
Some CAM packages allow users to machine (molds, plugs, lasts, etc.) directly from 3D scan data. 3D scan data can also be used directly for reverse engineering, quality inspection, CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis, visual models, rapid prototyping, digital archiving, and scaling of models among other things. With reverse engineered surface and solid files, the possibilities are limitless. Go To Top
Can I get parametric data from a 3D scanner?
Yes. While 3D scanners do not directly output parametric data, our experienced engineers can reverse engineer fully parametric models based on the 3D scan data.
Can I create 2D paper drawings from the 3D scan data?
Yes. While 3D scanners cannot directly output a 2D paper drawing of your object, you can easily create one using the resulting CAD data that we obtain from our 3D scan data. Additionally, our experienced team of engineers and draftsmen can create 2D drawings for use in any machine shop. See our 2D Drawings page for more information. Go To Top
Where do we ship our parts to?
Send all parts to our 3D scanning service center:
3DScanCo, Inc.
9401 James Ave S #132
Bloomington, MN 55431
Do you provide on-site scanning services?
Yes – we have mobile 3D scanning options that allow us to travel anywhere in the world.
What is quality inspection and in particular color-mapping?
Color-mapping is a way to communicate design deviations quickly and effectively. With a color map to show deviation between an as built and an as design part, everyone can visually see and analyze where a problem might lie – instantly. See our Quality Inspection page for more information. Go To Top
How do you hold engineering tolerances on parts larger than a desktop?
We use photogrammetry, which is a secondary process used in conjunction with 3D scanning. For large objects, it allows any 3D scanner to maintain its accuracy over huge areas.
What products do you sell?
In short, we sell whatever you require. We have forged relationships with many 3D scanner manufacturers and software companies and work to get you the proper system that fits your particular needs. Because our solutions are not vendor-specific, we can provide a solution that really works for what you need it to do. We can even combine existing technology and tie it together with custom software or create fully custom systems and/or software. Please read about our 3D Scanning Product Selection Process for more information. Go To Top
How much do 3D scanners cost?
The prices for 3D scanners vary greatly. Depending on the scanner, complete 3D scanning systems (including 3D scanning software, photogrammetry, training, maintenance, and installation) can cost anywhere from $40-150k or even up to $400k. Please contact us for a quote if you are interested in a 3D scanning system or 3D scanning software!
Keep in mind that we provide world-class 3D scanning services, which can be a less expensive alternative for your project, especially if you are scanning a limited amount of items. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns. Go To Top
Why do I need post-processing software such as Rapidform or Geomagic?
3D scanning initially creates an output that is inherently different from what CAD programs understand. CAD programs use mathematics to define a shape and control its behavior. 3D scanners output a collection of points (a point cloud) which are measured from the object using xyz-coordinates. While this collection of points digitally visualizes the physical shape of an object, there is no mathematical relationship between the individual points. These 3D scanning software packages allow for the vital conversion of the point clouds into mathematical data that CAD programs can understand. While some manufacturing processes can work with point data (SLA, and some CAM/machining), most cases require mathematical data for the file to be usable.