Automotive 3D Scanning

Scansite 3D has over two decades of experience providing automotive 3D scanning and reverse engineering services for the auto industry. Some of our services include:

  • Reverse engineering legacy parts
  • First article inspection of molded parts and sheet metal
  • Legacy Part creation and archiving
  • Classic car scanning for restoration and archiving
  • 3D Metrology for FEA and CFD
3D scanning automobile seats with a Creaform Metrascan 3D scanner

CREAFORM 3D Scanning and Metrology Tools

In addition to our ATOS® and Breuckmann® structured light 3D scanners, Scansite3D now offers the entire suite of CREAFORM®, 3d Scanning and Metrology tools.  These scanners add the ability to scan dark and shiny surfaces much faster – and with Metrology Grade accuracy.

3D scanning a Ford Fusion Interior with a Creaform Metrascan 3D scanner
Solidworks CAD model of a Lincoln MKZ

3D Scanning to CAD file creation

Once the 3D scanning process has been completed, most of our clients require that a CAD file be built to allow import into their CAD software.  Using Geomagic DesignX® software, Scansite3D can produce elegant and highly accurate CAD models for any of the mainstream CAD software packages including SOLIDWORKS®, CATIA®, Siemens NX®, Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor®, PTC Creo® and Pro/ENGINEER®.

STEP is the generic deliverable file format, but we can also produce “natively parametric”  files for SOLIDWORKS®, CATIA®, and PTC Creo® software. 

3D scanning a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO using an ATOS 3D scanner
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3D Scanning of Classic Cars

There are many reasons for scanning classic cars.  In some cases, the car’s owners want a record of the car’s geometry in case the car is wrecked or otherwise damaged (Just as many museums and cultural institutions scan their assets).   Another common use for 3d scanning is to assist in restoration.  Scanning can be used to check for symmetry and other deviations from the original shape of the car.   A surprising number of valuable classic cars are still being raced; having 3d scan data of the car’s original shape can be very useful in restoring a wrecked or damaged car.

Solidworks CAD model of a pinion gear for a 1938 Talbot-Lago “Teardrop” roadster
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Legacy Part Creation

Its very common to hear our customers say “The only way to get a part for this car is to make your own”.  Indeed, replacement parts for many older cars simply do not exist.

The bevel gear shown at left is from a 1938 Talbot-Lago “Teardrop” roadster.  This gear, which drives the distributor and oil pump on the Talbot-Lago’s engine, was stripped on our customer’s car.  The Scansite3D team was able to scan the damaged gear, create a SolidWorks file for future part creation, and make a replacement gear and several spares for the car’s owner.

Solidworks CAD model of a charging port for a Chevy Bolt

3D Scanning Electric Cars

Sales of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids exceeded 287,000 units in the three months ended in September, and Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area are now the worldwide center of the electric car industry.  Scansite3D has become a leading provider of 3D scan data, CAD creation, and first article inspection for the electric car industry.

Solidworks CAD model of Ferrari Scuderia 430 racing coupe interior panel, reverse engineered from 3D scan data

Reverse Engineering for Aftermarket Products

Developers of automotive aftermarket products require very accurate scan data and CAD models on which to base their designs.  Scansite3D combines the highest accuracy structured light scanners made by GOM/ATOS and Aicon/Breuckmann to obtain the highest quality scan data.  Using this scan data, we create high accuracy CAD models for use by the aftermarket designer.

CAD model of Dodge Duramax v-8 truck engine created with Geomagic DesignX software

 CAD Modeling & 3D Scanning for Automotive Design

Developers of automotive aftermarket products require very accurate scan data and CAD models on which to base their designs.  Scansite3D combines the highest accuracy structured light scanners made by GOM/ATOS and Aicon/Breuckmann to obtain the highest quality scan data.  Using this scan data, we create high accuracy CAD models for use by the aftermarket designer.

3D scanning a 1973 Norton Commando

3D Scanning & CAD Creation for Motorcycle Aftermarket Products

3D Scanning and CAD creation is used extensively in the design of after market parts for motorcycles.  This project for a 1973 Norton Commando included the 3d scanning and reverse engineering of the motorcycle’s exhaust pipes.

3D inspection of 3D scan data of interior panel of a Ferrari Scuderia 430 racing coupe

Quality Control & Dimensional Inspection

The combination of high accuracy structured light scanners and inspection software  tested and certified by PTB and NIST enable Scansite3D  to provide extremely accurate inspection services to the automotive industry.

A Gallery of Some of Scansite’s Automotive 3D Scanning Projects

Scansite 3D provides CAD files that can be imported into all types of CAD software