As more people become aware of the rapid developments in the 3D printing industry, there has also been a corresponding increase in the number of clients expressing an interest in 3D scanning. In most cases this interest turns into a question. How do I use this technology to improve my design process?
Early in the product design and development stage we look at what processes and CAD software will best fit a projects design goal. In many cases 3D scanning will be the only way to accurately capture complex or freeform geometry. Scanning the existing geometry is often the only viable method to capture the unique features and shape of a part. This is the best use of scanning as it relates to product design and development. It certainly can be used for other purposes, such as part inspection, but it offers the most compelling usage to create a 3D model from geometry that might be nearly impossible to draw using conventional methods.
Like all tools, it needs to be properly applied, as it is not without limitations. Some materials simply don’t work well with the scanning process. The greatest area of confusion is often centered around how the scan can be used. Many people think you simply scan an item, turn it into a CAD model, and start making parts. While this might be true for simple shapes, it rarely works on complex parts. As a general guideline, I let clients know for every hour a scan takes, it will take 2-10 hours of editing to create a usable 3D file output, with time linked to complexity of geometry in most cases. The cost is in the editing and file preparation, not the scanning. The amount of editing is most effected by the quality of the scan data, part geometry, and the final file type required. Certain 3D file types need a lot more editing work before they are usable.
The good news is that these design projects would have taken a week or more to complete, and with scanning this timeframe can be cut considerably, often with greater accuracy. If you are unsure if your project would benefit from this process, just use the contact or quote form, and we will look at your application and let you know what the best options are to fabricate your design and move the project toward production.