It depends on the complexity of the scanned model and material properties. As, for example, it may be much more complicated to properly scan an object with a reflective surface, than a non-reflective surface. It also depends on three main factors:

1. the physical size of your part
2. the required scanning resolution
3. if industrial CT or metallurgy scanning is needed

Simple quick cell phone photos are worth a thousand words to us. To know for sure you can request a quote. It is of course, free – and treated as if an NDA is already in place.

Some averages:

• The typical 3D scan is somewhere around $200-400 per part.
• Tomographic (CT) scanning is $600-900 per part.

Because so much of our business is Aerospace related, our scanning – and the completed CAD file HAS to be within ±.005” anywhere on that part, we never use consumer-grade scanners. The scanners we use start at $25,000 and go up to $700,000 (CT) per scanner.

At any given time, we have in excess of $ 5 million just in scanning hardware we use. In addition, a hidden factor of scanning on any system is the assembly and clean up of any scan. The rule of thumb is a 2-1 ratio. So even with our experienced scanning staff, if we spend one-hour scanning; we will then spend an additional two hours of clean up and assembly before our CAD group gets the Point Cloud file to simulate or reverse engineer.

A point cloud is thousands if not millions of data points located in space by X, Y, Z coordinates. Images of this nature are often captured with Faro Focus or Artec scanners that specialize in large-area scanning.  Most likely you obtain building and territory plans in this file format.

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A polygon mesh is a set of triangles located in the same manner. These scans are obtained with Artec, Creaform, Enscan and other handheld scanners. Parts and reverse engineering device scans are usually polygon meshes.

• Faro Arm – Very good for most parts, fast and accurate
• Turntable scanners – high accuracy, high detail, fast scanning. Great for smaller parts.
• Portable handheld – may be favorable for some larger parts – if not a tripod-mounted scanner.
• Long Range – these mount on a tripod, and are intended to scan buildings, plants, and other larger sized projects.
• Industrial CT scanners – incredibly expensive, but they offer two main benefits – the ability to inside an object (think of a void in a solid object), and their accuracy.  At this level, we are often in the ±.001” – ±.002” range, and often used in metrology scanning.

The scanners we use are as accurate as the industry offers – from anybody at any cost. We use Faro and Artec 3D scanners, in addition to Faro CMM type arms, including the Surveyor tables. Depending on what scanner we use:

• CT scanners – 4 to 400µm/voxel resolution
• Artec Portable scanners high accuracy (0.03 – 0.05mm)
• Artec Portable scanners high resolution (up to 0.15mm)
• Our CyberGage 360 – generates highly precise full 360 degrees automated scan with accuracy NIST traceable to approximately 7 microns
• The CyberGage 360 has a system repeatability of ±.005mm.
  

Yes with both the DeskTom and EasyTom CT scanners.  They both support metrology grade Computed Tomography (CT) inspection.  This provides nondestructive, 3D Scanning of Internal and External Geometries.  We use the Volume Graphics VGStudio Max high-end industrial CT software for the demanding of CT applications.

Yes. This is one of CT scanners’ major points – to see into objects. This is the best solution for nondestructive quality control.

• 4 to 400µm/voxel resolution
• Full inspection of large size samples
• Modular and micro-resolution capability
• 6 motion axis

For 3D scanning services our minimum order fee is $120.

Depending on the situation we can offer you dissecting your part for scanning purposes or use CT if applicable.