The Benefits of Using a 3D Scanning Service Bureau

While they provide an immense amount of useful data and insights, 3D scanners are an investment. Perhaps you’re hoping to try out a 3D scanning technology before putting funds toward your own unit, or you’re interested in the expertise that a professional technician can provide. A 3D scanning service bureau can provide access to this useful technology for either a one-off project or ongoing services—generating high-resolution 3D scans that can be used for everything from reverse engineering to inspection and metrology applications.

The Laser Design service bureau at CyberOptics has been providing 3D scanning services to a variety of customers since 1981. Whether your project involves detecting flaws in parts with complex internal geometries or preserving historic buildings, there exists a 3D solution that will meet your needs. Here’s what you need to know about working with a 3D scanning service bureau. 

What Can 3D Scanning Services Offer?

Zero Learning Curve

Think of working with a service bureau as 3D scanning made easy—and customized to your project. Laser Design’s skilled service team can recommend and provide the right solution for your needs, whatever they may be. Our 30 years of expertise specializing in 3D measurement, reverse engineering, and inspection tools have perfectly positioned us to provide the appropriate output for your application. 

You’ll find absolutely no learning is needed to get access to the best hardware and software for the measurements you’re interested in—we’ll handle the manual work of scanning and processing the data in order to produce the output needed. Reverse engineering, for example, is made easy with the help of 3D scanning. If you have legacy parts without 3D data or are otherwise in need of a CAD model, we can easily create STL, NURBS, parasolid and parametric CAD models from scan data and deliver the results in formats you’re used to working with.

In terms of inspection options, a 3D scanning service bureau can perform everything from form and dimensional analysis, to defect detection and assembly verification. And for content creation projects, we offer VR and AR options, including colorized scan data along with texture and render-ready 3D models.

Highly Accurate Results—Fast

Set the micrometers and calipers aside, because 3D scanning offers higher volume data capture than many manual and traditional measurement methods. This results in more accurate measurements in less time, meaning that you’re getting better data at faster speeds and more affordable prices. Our services bureau is here to support you on any project, when you need it. We can handle projects on standard or expedited timelines, ensuring that you aren’t waiting on crucial data. 

You might be wondering whether utilizing a 3D service bureau requires complex scheduling ahead of time. Not with us! Laser Design’s skilled team is available for one-off projects, or schedule repeat measurements for critical projects over time.

Skilled Engineers Available When You Need Them

For engineers, designers, or manufacturers working on a timeline, pouring days into hand measuring a part simply isn’t prudent. 3D scanning services can be completed in a matter of hours, leaving you with more time to move critical project requirements forward. The right provider will be able to produce accurate, high-resolution 3D scans quickly and efficiently—wherever and whenever you need them. 

Laser Design can provide customers with advanced scanning services either in our own labs or out in the field. Our team is available to support you on your time, meaning that you don’t have to work around our schedule—we’ll work around yours. When resources are tight, your company can stay on track by using ours to complete overflow work or tough applications.

Opportunity to Try Before You Buy

Given the considerable benefits of 3D scanning, such as cutting down on time-to-market and inspection of hidden internal defects, you might be evaluating whether to source scanning services or purchase a 3D scanner for use in your lab or production facility. Both are excellent options, and the right choice will vary depending on what you’ll be scanning, your budget, and your frequency of use.

It’s worth remembering that 3D scanning services are conducted by experienced operators who go beyond just scanning the object in question. The Laser Design engineers use Volume Graphics and other 3D scanning software programs for complex analysis, which can provide valuable insight into a number of key qualities, such as porosity and overall form.

Employing industrial 3D scanning services for one project is an excellent way to evaluate the potential benefits of this technology and ensure that you would get a significant return on investment. Compare the results of your services to the cost and quality of data you might get from another inspection method, and you’re sure to find 3D scanning well worth it. This “try before you buy” mentality will allow you to build confidence in future measurement system purchases by verifying the capability of the exact technology you’re evaluating.

Fully Customizable Service Solutions

Another benefit of working with Laser Design is the level of customization we offer. You won’t find yourself having to sort through extraneous data. Choose to use us for full project scope or for individual tasks to support your team and project in the most efficient ways possible. We have a number of options to fit any project, including scanning only, modeling only, and analysis only services.

An additional factor to take into account when working with a 3D scanning service bureau is the location of your project. We offer both in-lab and onsite measuring services, which means that we’ll be there when you need us. If you need 3D scanning at your facility for a special project, for example, we’ll be there.

Finding a Reliable Provider of 3D Scanning Services

Before beginning your search, nail down the specifics of the project or projects that require a 3D scan. What do you hope to use the resulting data for, how quickly do you need it, and how often will you require these services? Having a clear idea of the parameters of your 3D scanning needs will allow you to find a provider who can work within your budget, timeline, and other limits.

At Laser Design, we have over three decades of experience providing 3D measurement services for a variety of purposes, from validating complex assemblies to reverse engineering missing parts. Our years of work in the 3D scanning industry have shown us the near limitless potential for this technology, and we’re dedicated to providing a high level of service and accuracy that you won’t find anywhere else.

The Cost of 3D Scanning Services

Depending on the size of the project and type of equipment used, 3D scanning services can cost between $100 and $300 per hour, with a typical project minimum of $500. In contrast, purchasing a 3D scanner or other measuring equipment can cost tens of thousands of dollars—a worthwhile, but significant investment.

3D Scanning Services From Laser Design, a CyberOptics brand

When you find yourself in need of expert 3D scanning services, don’t hesitate to contact Laser Design. Our skilled 3D scanning technicians and engineers are eager to work with you to identify the correct 3D solution and provide valuable data that can be used for a variety of reverse engineering, content creation, inspection, metrology, and analysis applications. We look forward to working with you on your next project.