3D Scanning
Professional 3D scanning services for parts, products, and equipment. From micro components measured in microns to complete vehicles and industrial machinery, we capture accurate, high-resolution 3D data with a full fleet of metrology-grade scanners, at our facility or on-site at yours. Every project ends with a deliverable your team can actually use: a clean mesh, a CAD model, an inspection report, or 2D drawings.
Request a Quote
Typical response within one business day. Prefer to talk? Chicago: (331) 758-0940 • Kansas City: (913) 270-3158
What We Scan
If it has a physical shape, we can digitize it. Typical projects range from coin-sized precision components to full car chassis and production equipment:
- Micro and small parts: connectors, medical components, jewelry, coins, threaded features
- Mechanical parts and castings: housings, brackets, impellers, gears, molds, and tooling
- Vehicles and motorsport: chassis, body panels, frames, intake and exhaust routing
- Large equipment and machinery: production machines, fixtures, weldments, and assemblies
- People, sculptures, and artifacts: full-color capture for heritage preservation, art, and figurines
The Right Technology for Every Project
No single scanning technology does everything well. We match each project to the right system from the full professional range we sell and support as a Gold-Certified Artec 3D partner:
Desktop Metrology Scanning
Micron-level accuracy for the smallest components: connectors, dental and medical parts, jewelry, and fine threaded features, captured in a controlled desktop environment.
High-Resolution Structured Light
Sharp edges, thin walls, and complex geometry captured in fine detail. The go-to approach for reverse engineering precision components.
Wireless Handheld Scanning
Fast, full-color capture of mid-size to large objects: vehicles, castings, furniture-scale parts, and people. Untethered, so it travels anywhere on your site.
Optical Tracking Laser Scanning
Metrology-grade capture of large parts and assemblies without applying targets to the part. Built for demanding industrial and inspection work.
Mobile SLAM LiDAR
Entire rooms, facilities, and very large equipment. When a project outgrows object scanning, our 3D Mapping & Reality Capture service takes over.
Deliverables
Scanning is the first step. What you receive depends on what your project needs:
3D Mesh Files
Watertight, cleaned meshes in STL, OBJ, or PLY, with full color where captured. Ready for 3D printing, visualization, digital archiving, or further modeling.
CAD Models
Parametric solid models built from scan data using Geomagic Design X. Exported as STEP, IGES, or native SolidWorks. See our reverse engineering service for details.
Inspection Reports
Part-to-CAD comparison with color deviation maps and GD&T analysis, documenting exactly how the physical part compares to its design.
2D Drawings
Dimensioned manufacturing drawings in DXF/DWG, generated from scan data for parts with missing or outdated documentation.
In-House or On-Site
Ship your part to our facility for controlled-environment scanning, or we bring the equipment to you. On-site scanning makes sense for parts that can't be moved: installed machinery, vehicles mid-build, production tooling, and anything too large or too critical to ship. Our portable systems run on battery power and capture directly on your floor with minimal disruption.
Application Spotlight
3D Scanning a Race-Car Chassis
See how we bring on-site, metrology-grade 3D scanning to a chassis shop, turning a finished, hand-built chassis into an accurate digital model the team can design around, reverse engineer, and build from.
Read the full spotlight →How It Works
- ScopeTell us what needs scanning, the deliverable you need, and the timeline. We'll recommend the right technology and provide a fixed quote.
- CaptureWe scan at our facility or yours. Most parts are captured the same day; complex projects are scheduled to your deadline.
- ProcessRaw scans are aligned, cleaned, and converted into your deliverable: mesh, CAD, inspection report, or drawings.
- DeliverFiles delivered digitally in the formats your team uses, with a review to make sure the data works for your application.
Why 3DMakerWorld
As a Gold-Certified Artec 3D partner, we sell, train on, and support the same equipment we scan with every day. Our team works hands-on with 3D capture across every project type, from micron-level components to full vehicles, and that daily expertise shows up in the quality of the data you receive. Chicago: (331) 758-0940 • Kansas City: (913) 270-3158
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 3D scanning cost?
Pricing depends on part size, complexity, quantity, and the deliverable. A mesh-only scan of a single part costs far less than a full parametric CAD rebuild. Every project receives a fixed quote up front. Send us photos and rough dimensions for a quote, typically within one business day.
What's the difference between a mesh and a CAD model?
A mesh (STL/OBJ) is a surface made of triangles, an exact digital copy of the part as scanned. It's ideal for 3D printing, visualization, and archiving, but not directly editable in CAD. A CAD model (STEP/SolidWorks) is rebuilt from the scan as a parametric solid with real features, so your engineers can modify dimensions, add features, and use it in assemblies. We deliver both; the right choice depends on what you'll do with the data.
How accurate are your scans?
It depends on the system matched to your part. Our fleet spans desktop metrology scanning with accuracy measured in microns for small components, through professional handheld structured-light scanning, to optical tracking laser scanning for metrology-grade capture of large parts. During scoping we'll confirm the accuracy your application requires and the right system to achieve it.
Can you scan shiny, black, or transparent parts?
Usually, yes. Reflective and dark surfaces are handled with an easily removed temporary matte scanning spray, and many parts scan fine without any treatment. Fully transparent parts are the hardest case and are handled the same way. Tell us the material during scoping and we'll confirm the approach.
Do you offer on-site 3D scanning?
Yes. Our portable systems travel to your facility for parts that can't be shipped: installed equipment, vehicles, tooling, and large assemblies. On-site work is quoted based on scope and location.
Is my part kept confidential?
Yes. Scan data and part information are treated as confidential, and we're happy to sign your NDA before any project details are shared. Many of our customers are manufacturers and product developers working on unreleased designs.
What file formats do you deliver?
Meshes in STL, OBJ, or PLY; CAD in STEP, IGES, Parasolid, or native SolidWorks; drawings in DXF/DWG; and point clouds where applicable. If your workflow needs a specific format, ask.
Ready to digitize your part? Request a quote above, or call Chicago: (331) 758-0940 or Kansas City: (913) 270-3158.