Fast Turnaround in Calgary
Reverse-engineering-ready deliverables
Local Calgary & Alberta
Onsite 3D Scanning
Business & individuals
Quality-first
HOW OUR 3D SCANNING PROCESS WORKS
Send
photos & Details
Share a few photos and basic dimensions.
Tell us how you plan to use the scan (3D printing, CAD, inspection, etc.).
Need on-site service? Let us know.
Quote & timeline
We’ll provide an estimate along with our availability, expected duration, and post-processing timeline.
Pricing is based on an initial assessment. Final pricing is confirmed after post-processing and may increase by up to 30% depending on complexity.
Scanning
We do scanning at your site
OR
Bring your parts to us (drop-off/courier/mail)
Post-processing begins after scan capture
Delivery
You will receive the link with access to your files in .STL/.OBJ/.PLY format after full payment.
Then you pick-up your parts or we ship them
Raw scan data is optional and by request only
Looking for 3D printing? Explore our 3D Printing Services.
3D SCANNING TECHNOLOGIES WE USE
Blue Laser Scanning
Uses multiple blue laser lines to capture geometry. Blue wavelength helps reduce interference from ambient light and can perform better on shiny or darker surfaces than many white-light methods, with high accuracy for industrial metrology.
Best For
- Small, Medium and Large parts (from 50mm up to a couple meters)
High-accuracy metrology and inspection (tight tolerances)
Dark/shiny surfaces (often better results than white light; still may need scanning spray)
Automotive/aerospace parts, machined components, tooling verification
- Reverse engineering, dimensional inspection.
Blue Light Scanning (Structured Light)
Projects a blue fringe/pattern onto the object and cameras measure how the pattern deforms to reconstruct the surface. Very fast and detailed, great for medium-to-large parts, but reflective/transparent surfaces often may need scanning spray/targets.
Best For
Fast full-field scanning for medium-to-large (from 100mm) objects with high detail
Rapid capture of complex surfaces
Best for speed + detail on matte/treated surfaces (spray helps on reflective/transparent surfaces)
IR (Infrared) Scanning
Uses infrared patterns or time-of-flight to estimate depth (common in tablets/phones and some depth cameras). Typically faster and cheaper, good for rough capture and large shapes, but lower accuracy/resolution than metrology scanners and may struggle with sunlight and certain materials.
Best For
Quick rough capture for visualization, fit-checks, and general shape reference
Medium and Large objects( from 100mm ), human body scanning, AR/VR, low-cost workflows
Best when speed/portability matters more than precision
- Body scans and animals
2-Axis SLS (Structured Light Scanning)
Refers to a structured-light scanner paired with a 2-axis motorized turntable/positioner (typically rotation + tilt) to capture the object from many angles automatically.
Best For
Small parts (5mm – 100mm) where you need full 360° coverage (and more undercuts) without hand-repositioning
Repeatable, high-consistency scans for QC/inspection and scan-to-CAD workflows
Batch scanning many similar items using the same automated rotation + tilt program
Parts with hidden faces/undercuts that a single-axis turntable often misses (tilt exposes more surfaces)
What we have 3D scanned
Real jobs from our 3D scanning services in Calgary: car parts, engine bays, machine parts and whole doors. Most scans go on to become a CAD model, see our reverse engineering and Scan to CAD services.
Audi S4 grille
The surviving side of a discontinued grille, scanned and mirrored to remake the missing one.
Corvette engine bay
The whole bay on the computer, so brackets and covers can be designed to fit before anything is made.
Classic truck door
A full door scanned as an exact base for custom door panels and trim.
Hummer H3 radio bezel
An interior part scanned to model from.
Subaru differential gear
A small gear from a limited slip differential, scanned so it can be measured and modelled exactly.
Mazda RX-7 headlight housing
Scanned so the owner could design his own cold air intake in that space.
On-site 3D scanning in Calgary and Alberta
Small parts you can drop off or ship to us. For vehicles, heavy machinery and anything that cannot move, we bring the scanner to you across the Calgary area and surrounding regions, and further for specialized projects when travel is covered.
Deliverables
Files you receive
We deliver the processed scan in
STL / OBJ / PLY
Raw scan data is available upon request.
What’s included
3D Scanning
Cleanup
Alignment
Marker removal & Hole filling
Scans Merge/Stitching
Smoothing
Watertight model is optional
Typical lead time
Depends on current workload and availability.
3D scanning is typically completed within 3–5 business days from your request.
Post-processing usually takes 2–3 business days, depending on complexity.
Daily drop-off available, by appointment only
Looking for 3D modelling or Reverse engineering? Explore our Reverse engineering & 3D modelling services
Projects
Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional 3D Scanning Services in Calgary
Are there physical size limits to what you can 3D scan?
We provide 3D scanning for everything from small mechanical components up to complete vehicles. However, if you need us to 3D scan a 150-foot wind turbine blade, we might need a much bigger ladder (and a lot of coffee). The primary physical limitation of 3D scanning is line-of-sight. The scanner cannot capture internal geometry if the optics cannot “see” inside (for example, the deep internal diameter of a small pipe).
How should I prepare my part for 3D scanning?
To ensure the highest accuracy, your part must be clean and degreased (oil-free). If there is any oil film, grease, or heavy dirt on the surface, our specialized vanishing 3D scanning spray will not work. Please also keep in mind that industrial 3D scanners capture exactly what is in front of them—every single scratch, dent, and surface imperfection will be highly visible in the raw scan data. While we can easily correct these flaws during the reverse engineering phase, starting with a thoroughly cleaned part yields the most precise baseline geometry.
Do you offer on-site 3D scanning, or do I need to bring my parts to you?
We offer both! For smaller components, you can drop them off or ship them to our Calgary facility. For large objects—such as vehicles, heavy industrial machinery, or immovable pipeline infrastructure—we provide mobile on-site 3D scanning services across the Calgary area and surrounding regions. We are also available to travel anywhere for specialized projects, provided that all travel and accommodation expenses are covered.
Can your 3D scanners capture black, shiny, or reflective surfaces?
Yes. Our equipment operates in a laser scanning mode that easily captures black, glossy, and shiny metal surfaces. However, for the best results on highly reflective or mirrored objects, we use a specialized vanishing 3D scanning spray that automatically sublimates (disappears) after a couple of hours, leaving zero residue. While we can scan without it, using this spray significantly reduces data noise and improves the overall scan quality. It adds a microscopic layer of thickness, but for relatively large objects like a car headlight or engine cover, this is completely negligible.
What is the accuracy of your industrial 3D scanning equipment?
We utilize professional industrial-grade laser and hybrid light scanners delivering volumetric accuracy up to 0.04 + 0.06 mm/m. This level of precision is more than sufficient for the vast majority of engineering, automotive, and manufacturing applications, allowing us to capture complex custom geometries, fine textures, and physical height deviations with micron-level precision.
Additionally, our equipment lineup includes two highly specialized scanners to cover all possible project needs:
- Infrared 3D Scanner: Primarily used for safely scanning people, animals, and large organic shapes. While its absolute accuracy is slightly lower than our laser scanner, it is more than enough for most artistic, ergonomic, and custom-fitting tasks.
- Macro 3D Scanner: Built specifically for capturing extreme high-resolution details on tiny objects. Whether it’s a micro-mechanical component or something as small as an ant or scale models, we can achieve a level of micro-detail and accuracy that most other local companies simply cannot offer.
Do you need to apply tracking markers to my parts?
For high-accuracy tracking and seamless data alignment, we typically apply small, non-destructive adhesive or magnetic tracking dots to the surface of the object. These are completely safe for the material and are easily removed after the session. They are especially critical for projects where we need to precisely align “before” and “after” scans.
Can you 3D scan very small or highly detailed objects?
Yes, we utilize specialized macro 3D scanning technology specifically built to capture micro-details on tiny objects, such as small mechanical gears, electronic housings, or intricate custom components.
What are the limitations of macro 3D scanning?
Macro scanners operate with a very small field of view to achieve extreme high-resolution results. If an object is highly detailed but wider than this field of view (such as custom textured knives scale), it requires taking multiple overlapping scans. This increases the complexity of data alignment and the engineering hours required to produce a clean, symmetrical model.
Can macro 3D scanning capture internal threads or tiny deep holes?
Because most of all 3D scanning relies on line-of-sight, the optics cannot penetrate deep micro-holes. We can capture the opening and the start of a thread, but the deep internal geometry will be manually reverse-engineered and perfectly recreated in the final CAD model.
Can I use a raw 3D scan directly for CNC machining or manufacturing?
For mechanical and engineering parts, we do not recommend using raw scan data directly. A raw 3D scan is a “mesh” (a dense cloud of triangles) that captures the exact physical state of the object—including real-world wear, scratches, and slight deformations. It lacks perfect symmetry and exact geometric definitions (like true cylinders or perfectly flat planes). While raw scans are excellent for directly replicating organic shapes, sculptures, or art pieces, they are very difficult to edit or use for CNC machining. For precision manufacturing, we always recommend reverse engineering the scan into a clean, parametric CAD model.
Can you create a mirrored (left/right) copy of my part?
Yes, we can mirror the 3D scan data. However, mirroring a raw 3D scan directly is rarely useful for manufacturing because it mirrors all the real-world flaws, wear, scratches, and asymmetrical imperfections of the original part. To get a perfect, manufacturing-ready mirrored part (like a left-side bracket based on a right-side original), we highly recommend reverse engineering the scan into a clean CAD model first, and then mirroring that pristine digital model.
What is the typical turnaround time for 3D scanning?
Standard local 3D scanning sessions, including raw data processing and alignment, are typically completed within 1–3 business days. Mobile on-site scanning for larger projects in Calgary is scheduled based on our current availability.
How much does 3D scanning cost?
Every job is priced on its own, by the size of the part, the detail it needs and how much post-processing the scan takes. Send a few photos and basic dimensions and you get an estimate with the timeline before any work starts.
Can you scan a part while it is still on the car?
Yes. Interior panels, dashboards, engine bays and mounting areas are often scanned right on the vehicle, so the new part is drawn to fit the real car. We can do it at our location or on site.