3D Scanning Services to 0.025mm Accuracy, In-House and On-Site
We capture the exact geometry of any physical part using professional-grade laser scanners. 3D scan services in our Costa Mesa lab, or on-site at your facility anywhere in the US.
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Scanning accuracy. VDI/VDE 2634
STL, OBJ, STEP, IGES
Ship in your projects or have us on-site
Serving aerospace, automotive, and more
3D Scan Services In Our Lab Or At Your Facility
In-house Scanning
Ship your parts to our Costa Mesa facility for fast turnaround. Most parts scanned same day or next day, processed and delivered within 24–48 hours. No travel costs, controlled environment.
Shop Scanning
Our Costa Mesa office includes a dedicated 800 sq ft warehouse equipped for full shop captures in a controlled environment. Reserved for large scans like vehicles, fixtures, and heavy machinery.
Mobile, Large-scale Scanning
For structures, vehicles, and assemblies that cannot come to us. We travel on-site, nationwide and work around your production schedule and can set up in the field.
3D Scanning Services Across Demanding Industries
Aerospace
Airframe components, structural brackets, ground support tooling, and flight-critical parts where dimensional accuracy is non-negotiable.
Automotive
Body panels, engine components, suspension geometry, and custom fabrication. We work with both OEM production parts and aftermarket components
Defense
Legacy part recreation, vehicle systems, and structural components. ITAR compliance, we handle all projects with strict confidentiality and NDA protection.
Energy
Pump impellers, valve bodies, turbine components, and rotating equipment where dimensional variance directly impacts performance and safety.
Heavy Equipment
Castings, housings, and wear parts, often with no original drawings on file. We scan the physical part and deliver production-ready CAD, no documentation required.
Marine
Hull components, drive systems, and custom marine fittings. We've scanned parts pulled straight off working vessels, surface condition and corrosion are not a problem for our equipment.
Medical Devices
Implant geometry, custom orthotics, and device housings where micron-level accuracy directly affects patient outcomes. Every scan delivered with full dimensional verification.
Motorsports
Race car components, custom suspension geometry, and aero parts on tight build schedules. We understand race prep timelines, same-day scanning available when it counts.
Scan Data File Formats For Your Workflow Needs
STL, OBJ
Mesh formats for 3D printing, visualization, and FEA preparation.
STEP, IGES, XT
Universal CAD. Files work in SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Creo, Fusion 360.
Inspection Reports
Color deviation maps, GD&T analysis, CMM-style dimensional reports.
2D Engineering Drawings
Manufacture-ready prints with GD&T, tolerancing, and material callouts.
3D Scanning of Engine Head
Scan Data of Engine Head
Mobile Scan Service for Mercedes GTC
Mobile Scan Service for Wind Turbines
Mobile 3D Scan for Boat Molds
3D Scanning for Chassis Alignment
From Physical Part to Usable Scan Data in Five Steps
01.
Scope The Project
We discuss part size, required accuracy, deliverable format, and end use. Most projects scoped in a single call or email.
02.
3D Scanning
We scan using the latest in blue light laser technology. Multiple passes for complex geometry. Accuracy verified at capture.
03.
Data Processing
Raw scan data is aligned, cleaned, and processed into a usable mesh or point cloud. Noise removed, surfaces refined.
04.
Reverse Engineering
An engineer creates a parametric solid model of the part based on the scan data with proper draft angles, and functional intent.
05.
File Review
We deliver STEP, IGES, STL, OBJ, or point cloud files. Ready for CAD modeling, inspection, or 3D printing.
What Gets Delivered
Full CAD Assemblies
Parametric solid models in STEP, IGES or XT, with components separated and named.
Manufacture-Ready 2D Prints
Dimensioned drawings you can send straight to a shop for quoting.
Dimensional Verification Report
A comparison of the finished model against the scan data, so you can see the deviation rather than take our word for it.
WHY TANGENT SOLUTIONS
Why Engineers Choose Tangent Solutions for 3D Scanning
Metrology-grade equipment. Design engineers with actual manufacturing and metrology experience.
PRECISION
0.02mm Accuracy, Verified
We use the Creaform HandySCAN BLACK Elite, a metrology-grade portable laser scanner certified to ISO 17025 and accurate to 0.020mm.
EXPERIENCE
Manufacturing-first scanning team
We understand how scan data will be used downstream in CAD, on the shop floor, or in inspection reports. We scan with the end deliverable in mind.
RESPOSIVENESS
Same-day turnaround available
Most in-house projects can be scanned same day and mobile scans scheduled within one business day. We understand production schedules don’t wait.
TRUSTWORTHINESS
NDA Standard
We are happy to sign NDAs before project kickoff and are ITAR compliant. Scan data is yours to keep after payment and is never shared or reused.
Industries We Work In
We work with manufacturers, OEMs, MROs, and product development teams across aerospace, automotive, energy, marine, and heavy equipment. From a single legacy part with no drawings to a full assembly, you get parametric solid models in STEP, IGES, or XT, dimensioned 2D drawings, and a dimensional report showing how the model compares against the scan data
Empowering Experts in Their Field
When The Part Cannot Come To Us
Some projects cannot ship. They are installed, they are too large, they are on a production line that cannot stop, or they belong to a customer who will not let them leave the building.
We bring the scanner to the part. The HandySCAN is a handheld unit, so the same 0.025mm accuracy applies whether the part is in our lab or on your floor.
Case Studies on Recent Projects
3D Scanning A Rotor Hub for Kane Robotics to Program A Cobot
CASE STUDY | ROBOTIC AUTOMATION Client:...
Read More
On-site, Large Format 3D Scanning for Bayliss Machine & Welding
CASE STUDY | ROBOTIC AUTOMATION Client:...
Read More
How Bump Armor Uses 3D Scanning to Speed Up Laptop Case Development
CASE STUDY | CONSUMER ELECTRONICS Client:...
Read More
Precision Reverse Engineering of a Worm Gear for GEMTS
CASE STUDY | LEGACY PART REPLACEMENT...
Read More3D Scanning Services FAQ
What is 3D scanning and how does it work?
Our 3D scanning capabilities uses blue light laser scanning to capture the surface geometry of a physical object as a dense point cloud or mesh. We process that raw data into STEP, STL, or point cloud files. The result is an exact digital replica accurate to 0.02mm.
What file formats do you deliver from a 3D Scan?
We deliver STEP, IGES, XT, STL, OBJ, 3MF, DXF, DWG files, but please ask if there is a specific file type you’re looking for. We can also take scan data through our reverse engineering process to produce fully parametric SolidWorks CAD models. Format depends on your end use.
Our structured light scanners capture geometry to 0.02mm point accuracy. For tight-tolerance inspection work, we can provide a dimensional report with color deviation maps against your nominal CAD file.
Can you scan parts at our facility?
Yes. Our mobile scanning team travels nationwide for parts or assemblies that cannot be shipped. We work around your production schedule. Most on-site projects are scoped and quoted within one business day.
How long does 3D scanning take?
Most small-to-medium parts are scanned same day or next day in our Costa Mesa facility. Data processing typically adds one to two business days. Rush service is available, call to discuss your timeline.
We serve aerospace, automotive, defense, medical devices, heavy equipment, energy, marine, and motorsports. Clients include Alliance Aerospace Group, Archer Aviation, ADC Aerospace, PPG, and Bayliss Machine & Welding.
Do you sign NDAs and who owns the scan data?
Yes, we sign NDAs before project kickoff as standard practice. All scan data, files, and project information are yours outright upon payment. We do not retain, reuse, or share your data under any circumstances.
Tell Us About Your Project
Send photos, rough dimensions and what your end goals are for the project. Free quotes are itemized. We scope scanning time, CAD rebuild hours, and delivery format before any work begins.