This post covers 3D scanning services prices, rates and costs for companies. 3D scanning, whether laser-based or photogrammetry, involves capturing photographs of an object from various viewing angles and then using the images to generate a digital 3D model of the object in question. Data from the images are combined into a 3D mesh. Once completed, the resulting file can be further modified and processed in compatible CAD software.
While plenty of “relatively affordable” 3D scanners cost less than $1,000, they are not specifically geared toward commercial applications but using 3D printing design firms for small objects and basic digitization. Purpose-built professional 3D scanners are still quite expensive, from at least $2,000 to upwards of $10,000. Most scanners of the price range are used by law enforcement to collect evidence from crime scenes, healthcare providers to create custom orthodontics, and museums to digitize artifacts.
Industrial-grade 3D scanners priced from around $15,000 to $40,000+ are at the highest end of the spectrum. Industrial 3D scanners are precise enough to facilitate reverse engineering and prototyping for product development, VR for games or simulations, digital archiving of large archaeological buildings or sites, architectural project construction inspection, and product quality control.
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Accuracy is the main reason; while a budget 3D scanner might allow for a measurement deviation of one centimeter or larger, the industrial-grade alternative is accurate to “at least” 0.1mm. Some of the most sophisticated scanners are 10x more precise. 3D scanners of such caliber are used in various industries, from consumer products and manufacturing to automotive and aerospace.
Not every company—especially startups and small businesses—can afford an industrial-grade 3D scanner for product development. Whether you run a high-end 3D printing firm, provide historical artifacts digitization services, offer CAD-based restoration work of complex or legacy mechanical parts, or conduct a digital inspection of a large construction project and everything else in between, chances are the business requires 3D scanning services capable of quickly delivering surgical precision measurements.
An industrial-grade 3D scanner equals a heavy upfront investment, possibly too much for small to mid-sized companies. The good thing is that 3D scanning services can give access to the best equipment, techniques, and software at a fraction of the price. The cost is more affordable than buying the equipment in the first place. Furthermore, the devices are operated by well-trained 3D scanning professionals to minimize the likelihood of getting poor scans or repeating the same process multiple times. Every reputable 3D scanning service also has a wealth of data processing tools and software to yield a usable CAD model.
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| 3D Scanner Service Description | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| “Relatively affordable” 3D scanners (for simple 3D printing) | Below $1,000 |
| Purpose-built professional 3D scanners | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Industrial-grade 3D scanners (high-end applications) | $15,000 – $40,000+ |
| 3D Scanning Services (access to equipment, techniques, and software) | Fraction of equipment cost |
Among the most popular 3D scanning methods include photogrammetry and laser. The former involves taking and combining dozens (if not hundreds) of photographs to build a single digital image. Laser scanning, also known as LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), creates a 3D point cloud; since each point has its own Cartesian coordinates, the scanned image is identical to the physical object. A scan does not automatically yield a workable 3D model. The file must be first converted into polygonal meshes or other 3D formats to be processed further in CAD software.
One of the leading American companies in the 3D scanning services market is Gentle Giant Studios, which started as a manufacturer of world-class busts and collectible figures. The company has expanded its business portfolio, and now the services include high-quality 3D scanning with photogrammetry and LIDAR. The photogrammetry booth is equipped with polarized lighting to eliminate shadows from the model, which may negatively impact the scanning result.
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Cameras are mounted on all corners and sides to get a complete picture from all angles in the greatest possible details. Gentle Giant Studios even offers a mobile version, so it is possible to have the booth sent to your location. The company utilizes LIDAR technology for larger projects, such as scanning a building or landscape. Millions of laser pulses generate data points to rebuild the object or an area as detailed, accurate 3D models. LIDAR is the most widely-used 3D scanning technology for historical/archaeological site restoration and digitization.
Another 3D scanning firm with a global reach is Laser Design, which offers a wide range of scanning services for various applications, from reverse engineering experts to BIM. Known for utilizing a combination of Artec industrial scanners and metrology-grade equipment, Laser Design caters to projects of all sizes, from small artifacts to massive skyscrapers at every complexity level. Scanning services from either Gentle Giant Studios or Laser Design are not exactly cheap. The actual cost depends on project complexity, but you can expect to pay around $1,000 for their expertise.
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A likely alternative for the more budget-conscious clients is the ScanMan Express, which offers services for $350 to $800. The company utilizes blue and white light scanning methods to convert point clouds into digital models. Its official website provides a cost calculator to help clients fine-tune their scanning necessities and determine the price. The calculator is a typical questionnaire-like format that requires clients to specify the project’s complexity.
ScanMan Express focuses on small objects or portable items that can be quickly shipped to the company’s location. The scanned image and the 3D models are more than accurate enough to be used for reverse engineering processes, 3D printing, quality control, or any purpose you see fit. The company can also send a scanning technician to the clients’ locations if shipping the object is too challenging. The most affordable option is a local Makerspace, an open workshop facilitating collaborative creativity.
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It does not focus on 3D scanning technology, but every makerspace likely has some portable 3D scanners and 3D printers. Most makerspaces are based in community colleges, libraries, and schools. It might not be entirely free of charge, but it is almost certainly more affordable than all the alternatives mentioned above. The website provides a directory of hundreds of Makerspaces worldwide. There are more than 700 Makerspaces in North America (although mostly in the United States) and around 170 across Europe. Cad Crowd is a valuable platform connecting companies with reliable 3D scanning services.
With Cad Crowd, businesses gain access to a vast network of experienced professionals and specialized 3D scanning service providers. Whether companies require precise measurements for product development, historical artifact digitization, mechanical part restoration, or large-scale construction inspections, Cad Crowd can help. Businesses can easily find and connect with 3D scanning experts with the latest equipment, techniques, and software necessary to deliver accurate results by leveraging their platform.
Cad Crowd ensures that trained professionals handle every scanning project, reducing the risk of poor scans or repetitive processes. Furthermore, the platform provides access to robust data processing tools and software, enabling the generation of usable CAD models from the scanned data. With Cad Crowd, companies can efficiently tap into 3D scanning services and find the expertise for their specific scanning needs and budget.
With the large variety of scanners and their capabilities, the cost to hire 3D scanning services varies depending on object size, complexity, speed, application, quality, and quantity. On average, the price ranges from $250 for a simple small object to more than $2,000 for a complex mechanical part.
For example, a car rim is not a geometrically sophisticated object. It is a common part scanned to generate a model for aftermarket repair. Many car-tuning shops scan the stock rim of a car, so they can reverse engineer the part to develop a purpose-built version, such as for a race or off-road. Although seemingly simple, a car rim contains numerous intricate elements like the spokes, the bore, and the center disc. Accurate measurement is crucial to minimize the possibility of incorrect data, thus compromising car performance.
An industrial scanner can probably finish the task in under 10 minutes. Using specialized CAD software, the digital image reconstruction can take around 30 minutes. A car rim falls under the medium-complexity category. A professional 3D scanning service may charge about $800 for the job. The cost can increase if the customer wants high-quality 3D models and additional data, including 3D printer format. At a step higher in terms of complexity is a dual-clutch transmission.
Unlike the geometrically simple rim, which is sometimes made of a single metal block, a transmission contains many small parts, including the gears, shafts, synchronizer cones, input shaft, and output shaft. A dual-clutch transmission is two manual transmissions working as one unit. Utilizing the same industrial 3D scanners, it would take around 50 minutes to complete the scanning and 120 minutes for post-processing. The cost is in the range of $1,200. You should expect to pay at least $2,000 when hiring a 3D scanning service to generate 3D models and data from large objects, such as houses and bridges.
| Project Size | Cost | Notes |
| Small | $2,000 to $3,000 | A small structure, such as a gas station, statue, and fast-food restaurant. The 3D scanning process can be completed in one day. |
| Medium | $3,000 to $10,000 | Most architectural 3D scanning projects fall under the medium-sized category. The objects may include an industrial facility, a complex campus, or a hospital. If the scanned models are intended as the basis to manufacture an intricate pre-fabricated component for archeological site restoration, high-accuracy 3D scanners are indispensable. |
| Large | $10,000 or more | The most expensive service involves 3D scanning a massive structure like a football stadium or a world-class amusement park. |
Remember that you don’t require the most expensive 3D scanning service for a simple project. A locally-based 3D scanning firm or freelancer might provide you with an economical service for basic purposes, such as 3D printing a small handmade sculpture or digitizing an object for 3D modeling. In the case of prototyping and reverse engineering, hiring a reputable firm with industrial-grade 3D scanners is the most efficient route because you have a guarantee of high-quality results for product development and accurate data for an architectural project.
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