Reverse engineering & 3D scan to CAD
We 3D-scan physical parts, components and assemblies and turn them into accurate CAD models — for manufacturing, replacing legacy parts with no drawings, and dimensional QC. Exact geometry, rebuilt as usable CAD.
What is reverse engineering in 3D scanning?
Reverse engineering means 3D-scanning a physical part or object and recreating an accurate CAD model from it. The exact geometry is captured as a point cloud or mesh, then rebuilt as parametric or surface CAD — so a part with no drawings can be manufactured, modified or inspected.
No drawings, no easy way to remake the part
Legacy and obsolete parts often have no drawings — or drawings that no longer match a component that's been worn, repaired or modified. You can't manufacture, modify or replace what you can't accurately describe, and measuring complex or freeform geometry by hand is slow and imprecise. Capturing exact geometry and turning it into manufacturable CAD is the work — and it's what we do.
WHAT WE DELIVER
From physical part to usable CAD
3D scanning of parts & assemblies
accurate capture of components and equipment.
Point cloud & mesh
exact geometry as a digital model.
Parametric CAD
editable solid models for manufacture and modification.
Surface / freeform CAD
accurate surfaces for complex geometry.
Scan-to-CAD
your scan or ours, rebuilt as usable CAD.
Dimensional inspection
scan compared against nominal CAD, with a deviation report.
USE CASES (job-to-be-done)
Where reverse engineering pays off
Legacy & obsolete part replacement
remake parts that have no drawings.
Manufacturing & modification
editable CAD to produce or change a part.
Complex / freeform geometry
capture shapes hard to measure by hand.
QC & dimensional inspection
compare as-made against nominal CAD.
Heritage & artefact digitisation
accurate digital records of objects.
Fit & assembly checks
verify parts fit before production.
WHY 3D ENGINEERING
Accurate capture, manufacturable CAD
EU-based engineering
EU data jurisdiction, GDPR, NDA.
Right scanner for the part
capture matched to the object and tolerance.
Parametric + surface CAD
editable models, not just a mesh.
Inspection capability
scan-vs-CAD deviation reporting.
HOW WE WORK
From scan to CAD
Technical scoping
part, geometry, target CAD/format and tolerance.
Scan
accurate capture at the right resolution for the part.
Point cloud / mesh
exact geometry prepared.
CAD modelling
parametric or surface CAD rebuilt from the geometry.
Inspection & handover
optional deviation report, delivered in your formats.
Selected projects & client experience
These are projects we can show publicly. A significant part of our work — critical infrastructure, offshore and live industrial assets — is covered by NDA and can't be displayed. The experience behind it is the same.
FAQ
Reverse engineering — common questions
What is reverse engineering in 3D scanning?
3D-scanning a physical part or object and recreating an accurate CAD model from it — capturing exact geometry as a point cloud or mesh, then rebuilding it as parametric or surface CAD.
What CAD formats do you deliver?
STEP, IGES, native solid CAD and mesh (STL) — the formats your manufacturing or engineering workflow needs.
Can you recreate a part with no existing drawings?
Yes — that's the core of reverse engineering. We rebuild accurate, usable CAD from the scan.
Can you do dimensional inspection or QC?
Yes — we compare a scan against your nominal CAD and report the deviations. We provide the comparison data, not certified metrology.
How accurate is reverse engineering scanning?
We match the scanner and resolution to the part, capturing geometry to the tolerance your application needs.
How do you handle confidentiality?
EU jurisdiction, GDPR and NDA. Most projects are confidential — anonymised references on request.