Reverse engineering & scanning
Reverse engineering, honestly scoped
"Scan it and print it" rarely gives a usable part. A scan produces a mesh of the surface; a functional replacement usually needs a reverse-engineered CAD model. We'll help you work out which you need — this service is offered as a consultation.
Who it's for
- Owners of parts with no CAD available
- Designers who need to fit products around existing objects
- Teams digitising legacy components
How it works
- 01
Tell us about the object
Size, material, how accurate the result must be, and what you'll use it for.
- 02
Consultation
We recommend measuring + CAD, a scan, or a combination — and explain the trade-offs.
- 03
Scoped proposal
If the work is a good fit, we propose the deliverable, accuracy and price.
- 04
Deliver
A printable mesh, a reverse-engineered CAD model, or both, as agreed.
What to send us
- Photos with a scale reference
- Overall dimensions
- Intended use of the result
- Required accuracy and fit-critical features
Honest limits
- Scanning availability is shown on the scanning page and may be consultation only
- Shiny, transparent or very dark objects are hard to scan without surface preparation
- Scan meshes aren't parametric CAD; editing them is limited
Materials
Reproduced parts are printed in the material that suits how they'll be used — often PETG, ASA or a nylon blend for functional replacements. Compare materials.
Questions
What's the difference between a scan and CAD?
A scan is a dense triangle mesh of the visible surface. Reverse-engineered CAD rebuilds the design intent — flat faces, true holes, exact dimensions — so it can be edited and fits reliably.
Do you have scanning equipment?
Current availability is shown on the scanning page. We won't claim equipment or accuracy we can't deliver.
Ready to start?
Every request is reviewed by a person before anything is priced or charged.