We’re going to level with you here; 3D scanning services aren’t something we expect you to know everything about. It’s a very niche and new form of scanning that requires a great deal of technical wherewithal to complete appropriately.
But there are aspects of it you need to understand if you’re in need of 3D scanning. In particular, you need to know how much 3D scanning services cost. Just because it’s new tech doesn’t mean you should be paying more than everyone else to access it.
We’ve outlined roughly what 3D scanning services there are, as well as aspects of these can affect the overall price tag. Then, we’ve listed the average you should come to expect if you’re paying for 3D scanning services in the near future.
What Forms of 3D Scanning Service Are There?
To understand how much 3D scanning costs, you need to know what 3D scanning services there are today. That’s because the cost of the service you need can differ wildly depending on how complex the service you need is.
There are several different kinds of 3D scanning approaches, dependent on the object you’re trying to scan. These include structured light scanning, laser scanning, and touch probe scanning.
Structured light scanning is very precise, and is therefore used regularly for scanning smaller objects in great detail. Laser scanning isn’t as precise but can scan larger objects and also doesn’t require the object to be painted beforehand.
Touch probe scanning is often used alongside laser scanning (which can up the price) and is used to precisely measure certain parts of the object in question.
These are the 3 main scanning services you’ll be considering if outsourcing your scanning, but you should also bear in mind the cost of applying the data. Many companies offer the opportunity to reverse-engineer data or inspect the data collated towards specific parts.
This can ensure the part you’ve scan is in line with precise specifications. But any data assessments like this are going to be charged extra compared with the core cost of scanning.
Now you know some of the scanning variations, let’s go into other factors that impact the overall price.
What Factors in 3D Scanning Affect the Cost?
The first major factor affecting the cost of 3D scanning is the size and scope of the object you’re scanning. The bigger the object is, the longer it’ll take to scan accurately, and therefore the more you’re going to be paying.
Size isn’t the only physical factor to consider though, as you’ll also need to think about how complex your object is. If it has several grooves, overhangs, threads, pins etcetera, then these will take longer to be caught by the scanner.
Using a scanner to scan through a large box is far less complicated than using an einscan pro 2x plus to scan for custom orthotics. But you’d need the latter for the specialist job at hand; always remember that the specialist nature of your object will demand different scanning services.
You should always assess the object you’re scanning first, to guess how long you think it’ll take the scan as a result of its makeup. It’s also important to remember that scanning costs are based on estimations.
You will usually provide photographs to a company who will then estimate the total cost of scanning. Due to the nature of estimations, they will be based on these photographs as well as prior work completed by the company.
There can, therefore, be some differences in the costs certain companies charge as a result. As with many services, you’ll also be paying more for a more experienced scanning company.
How Much Does 3D Scanning Cost on Average?
Now you’ve been able to consider these factors, let’s answer the question on everybody’s mind; how much, on average?
To scan a particular part, you could be looking at a cost of between $100-1000+ dependent on both the size and complexity of the part in question. Some companies will charge their scanning by the hour.
If this is the case you’ll likely be looking at around $100-200 per hour. The expected length of time the scanning will take should be calculated and provided to you in the company’s price estimation.
This figure does not factor in any additional features like those mentioned above, such as dimensional inspection. If you’re expecting the company to provide these on your behalf, you’ll need to be prepared to pay more as a result.
The cost of these additional services will differ from company to company. As a general rule, they should never cost much more than the hourly fee for the scanning itself.
This way, the company is able to give you a full quotation, based on an hourly rate, of all the services you require.
It’s very rare that you’d be paying as low as $100; this would be in very specific cases with a small object to be scanned. You should anticipate around $500, which could rise to $800 to $1,000+ for larger objects or scans that require additional services after the scanning itself is complete.
Where Can I Find Out More About 3D Scanning Services Cost?
You should now know roughly how much 3D scanning services cost, as well as why they attract this pricetag. But we know you may have additional questions that need answering in regards to 3D scanning.
If that is the case, please make sure to browse through some of the previous posts on our website. We’ve written numerous guidance posts to help you with any burning questions you might have.
