3D Scanning: How to strike the perfect balance between innovation, aesthetics, and functionality

Did you know that Cadillac’s new 2024 Celestiq, priced at $300,000, has 115 3D-printed parts, reported to be the highest number ever? The 3D parts range from safety-critical elements such as seat belt guide loops to structural underbody parts. Not only does it ensure passenger safety but also allows buyers to customise elements from steering wheel trim to door handles, offering whole new levels of personalisation.

And none of it would have been possible without precision 3D scanning, which holds the key to striking the perfect balance between innovation, aesthetics, and functionality. Whether in product design, architecture, manufacturing, or digital art, 3D scanning — essentially the process of capturing the physical in digital format, creating a three-dimensional representation of the object or environment — is a game-changing technology revolutionising various industrial spheres.

3D Scanning for Innovation

3D scanning opens up new avenues of innovation. Like for example, in the medical field, 3D scanning allows the creation of precise 3D models of organs which can help in everything from pre-surgery planning to customising implants for patients.

In manufacturing, product designers can’t get enough of 3D scanning, which helps in reverse engineering, allowing companies to recreate existing or vintage products with improved designs. In archaeology, 3D scanning is used to preserve and study historical artifacts, buildings, and cultural heritage sites.

3D Scanning for Aesthetics

3D scanning allows you to capture intricate details, textures, and colours accurately. Imagine what this can do in a field like architecture, where through 3D scanning one can visualise designs and structures, and what an entire project is going to look like in the future.

In the world of art, aesthetics are paramount, and 3D scanners are creating wonders here. In 2017, Schweizerholz (Swiss Wood) and the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment launched a hugely successful campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of using wood, an eco-friendly material, in construction and furniture production. Here’s how 3D scanning came into the picture and helped transform the campaign. Figurative artist Inigo Gheyselinck started with a clay bust of a historical figure, which was then 3D scanned. A person with a matching body type was also scanned, and the digital fusion of the bust and body resulted in a life-size figure that was CNC machined from wood. The campaign was an instant hit. Just goes to show how 3D scanning can add value to design.

3D Scanning for Functionality

Functionality is the heart of any design. In manufacturing, 3D scanning ensures the quality and precision of products, crucial for meeting industry standards. An upcoming area where 3D scanning is making waves is crime scene investigation, where law enforcement agencies rely on 3D scanning to reconstruct crime scenes accurately.

As part of its range of 3D scanning products, Blue Star E&E has a Go!SCAN 3D, a professional portable 3D scanner designed for capturing any object’s 3D shape, including complex and organic surfaces in under 5 minutes. These scanners are handheld making them easy to use when capturing detailed, full-colour data. Engineers can then integrate them with modern 3D CAD software, allowing for designs to be refined.

How do you choose the best 3D scanning equipment?

Ask yourself, what is your goal? Innovation, aesthetics, or functionality? Or all three? The right 3D scanners can help you gain a competitive edge, cut time and costs associated with product development, and optimise processes. Give our experts at Blue Star E&E a call for more information on how to choose the right 3D scanner.