12/06/2026
A 3D scan and a CAD file are two different things.
A scan file is a digital copy of your part, exactly as it is. Every bump and scratch included. Good for a digital record or printing a one-off replica. It can't be edited or measured properly.
A CAD file is the same part rebuilt cleanly, with proper engineering measurements you can edit and manufacture from. We can use it to modify the design or produce anything from one part to thousands without you having to scan the original again. Every CAD model includes an inspection report showing how accurate it is against the original.
The right one depends on what you need to do with the file.
Scan-only works well for heritage records, display replicas, sharing geometry, or one-off prints where the original is your reference.
CAD is what you want for anything that needs to be modified, manufactured, or kept in production long-term. We handle the whole chain in-house, from the scan through to design changes and finished parts.
Scanning starts at £70. CAD work is quoted depending on complexity.
Got a part you're not sure about? Send a photo to [email protected]
https://surfacescan.co.uk/3d-scanning-services/
3D scanning services to digitise your parts or models, creating precise data for reverse engineering, design or inspection. In-house or mobile.