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Trumbull Foundry specializes in high-quality gray iron casting and ductile iron castings, serving industries across the U.S.

3D Scanning & Metal Castings: Advancing the Future of Reverse Engineering

  • Writer: Trumbull Foundry
    Trumbull Foundry
  • Jul 7
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 29

Modern manufacturing doesn’t start on the shop floor, it starts with data. At Trumbull Foundry, we’re combining the power of traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge 3D scanning to reimagine what’s possible in metal casting. For clients who have no tooling, no drawings, or only a worn part in hand, 3D scanning technology has changed the game. Let's explore how 3D scanning and metal casting work together to deliver smarter, faster, and more precise results for reverse engineering projects.


What Is 3D Scanning in Manufacturing?

3D scanning is a non-contact method of collecting precise digital data from a physical object. Using laser-based rangefinding systems, the scanner measures the time it takes for a pulse of light to hit an object and return. This "time-of-flight" method allows for highly accurate distance calculations and the capture of an object’s complete surface geometry.

Source: Photo courtesy of Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Inc.
Source: Photo courtesy of Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Inc.

Source: Image Courtesy of Creaform / Ametek, www.creaform3d.com
Source: Image Courtesy of Creaform / Ametek, www.creaform3d.com

Why is this important? Because for foundries like Trumbull, this enables us to collect all necessary data for parts that don’t have a CAD model or original documentation. That data is the foundation of what becomes a castable solution.


How It Powers Metal Casting

Once the scan data is captured, it is used to generate a detailed 3D model of the part. That model can then be analyzed, modified, and prepared for the casting process, whether that means creating tooling, developing a mold pattern, or feeding the data directly into CNC systems for mold production.


The advantage? Precision. Reverse engineering with 3D scanning minimizes human error, speeds up development, and ensures accuracy in both simple and complex geometries.


Limitations and Practical Applications

Like all technologies, 3D scanning has its constraints. It can struggle with highly reflective or absorbent surfaces and may face accuracy issues with extreme heat gradients. But within foundry applications, especially for industrial equipment and complex parts, it excels.


Applications include:

  • Rapid pattern making

  • Design validation and prototyping

  • Replacing legacy parts with no available schematics

  • Shorten production cycles and minimized waste


Our recent 2025 Impeller Project showcased exactly this: using only a worn sample, Trumbull recreated a fully functional, high-performing component by pairing 3D scanning with our small-run casting capabilities.


The Trumbull Advantage

We don’t just cast parts. We solve problems. With no minimum order requirements and a team that thrives on getting the job done right, Trumbull Foundry combines hands-on experience with modern precision tools to serve industries that need more than standard solutions.


Whether you're working with incomplete files or simply a broken part, our skilled team of engineers and casting capabilities give you a way forward.


Visit our website to learn more about our reverse engineering process, or request a quote to get your next project moving.

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