Lincs 3D Professional Reverse Engineering
Reverse Engineering
Reverse engineering is the fastest way to recreate a part when the original drawings component or CAD files don’t exist. At Lincs 3D (Lincolnshire) we combine 3D scanning, CAD design and engineering drawings to rebuild accurate digital models from real-world parts and if needed we can also 3D print prototypes or final-fit parts.
Whether it’s a discontinued component, a worn or broken part or a one-off item that needs replicating we tailor the workflow to suit your job — some projects require scan-only, some projects require full scan-to-CAD with remodelled features and drawing outputs.
What Reverse Engineering Can Do
- Recreate obsolete or discontinued parts
- Produce accurate CAD models from physical items (scan-to-CAD)
- Correct imperfections in scans by rebuilding clean geometry in CAD
- Generate 2D drawings for manufacture, documentation, or compliance
- Create 3D printed prototypes to test fit before production
- Improve or modify an existing design (strength, clearances, mounting points)
Our Reverse Engineering Workflow
1) Review & plan
- You send photos, basic dimensions, and what the part needs to do
- We agree outputs: CAD, drawing, prototype print, or all of the above
2) 3D scanning (when required)
- We capture the item with our scanning setup to create a detailed digital model
3) Mesh clean-up & alignment
- We remove unwanted noise, fill gaps where appropriate, and orient the scan correctly
- We identify which areas must be “as-is” vs. which areas need “design intent” geometry
Our Reverse Engineering Workflow
4) CAD rebuild (scan-to-CAD)
- We rebuild surfaces and features as clean CAD geometry
- We correct scan discrepancies and standardise key features (holes, planes, symmetry, patterns)
5) Check & refine
- We validate critical sizes and functional interfaces
- If needed, we iterate based on your feedback (fit, tolerance zones, mating parts)
6) Outputs & delivery
- Final files supplied in the formats you need
- Optional 3D print produced for test-fit or demonstration
Get A Quote
If you’d like a quote, send us:
- Photos of the item
- Approximate dimensions (if known)
- What it does / where it fits
- Your required output (CAD, drawing, 3D print, or all)
Contact Lincs 3D
- Phone: 07544 023164 / 01522 801 343
- Email: info@lincs3d.co.uk
- Address: 19 Churchill Avenue, Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln, LN4-2JX, UK
Reverse Engineering, 3D Scanning, 3D Design & CAD Services
send your CAD designs direct to us for an instant quotation
What You’ll Receive
- 3D CAD files (commonly STEP / IGES / STL, depending on your workflow)
- 2D drawings (for manufacture, records, quoting, or compliance)
- 3D printed prototype to test fit and function (ideal before machining or tooling)
- Guidance on next steps: printing, CNC, fabrication, or refinement
If you also want printed parts, we can produce them using our FDM printing capability (including large-format capacity).
Why Lincs 3D
- Based in Lincolnshire, offering scanning, CAD and printing under one roof
- Operating since 2010, with a focus on prototypes, models and CAD work
- High-quality printing equipment for reliable prototype and production parts
- A practical approach: we don’t just “scan a shape” — we rebuild it into usable engineering data
- Proven track record: already helped bring several new products from the development board to the shop floor
Confidentiality is one of the key components when it comes to creating prototypes or bringing products to market, Lincs 3D have established trust with several developers and product inventors signing whatever legal documents requested to fulfill the project request.
Common Reverse Engineering Requests
- Replacement parts for machinery and equipment
- Legacy components with no technical drawings
- Modified versions of existing parts (mounts, brackets, covers, guards)
- One-off assemblies and custom housings
- “Make it fit” prototypes before production runs
- Recreating worn or broken items from the best available sample
The service was second to none. Fast response with a quote. Follow up emails keeping me informed of order progress and delivered exactly on time. Great quality of parts created from my cad drawings…..A great company to deal with. Quick and efficient service with great communication at each stage of the process. I highly recommend them and I would definitely use them again. It’s the way all companies should operate.
Excellent customer service, print quality and accuracy. I would definitely recommend this company to anyone requiring 3D printing services.
Parts arrived very quickly and to a very high standard. The small parts I ordered would have been difficult and expensive to make with conventional subtractive manufacturing techniques.
Very quick, helpful with error trapping on print design. A good service, quick and accurate, with friendly help in resolving problems.
I was very impressed with the fast turnaround of fee quotes and production. David and his team provided excellent communication throughout and the items I ordered had excellent finishing. (ABS – Strong\Durable service)
The first one arrived in the post and it’s brilliant! Thank you so much – we really appreciate the speed as well. An excellent service all round! 🙂
Reverse Engineering + Real-World Outcomes
Reverse engineering often overlaps with other work like redesigns and part updates. Lincs 3D projects commonly involve scanning items, recreating models and adjusting designs to suit new requirements (e.g. parts updated for revised holes, sizes or components).
No. If you already have usable measurements, sketches or partial CAD, we can jump straight into CAD modelling and drawing creation.
Yes, that’s a key part of scan-to-CAD. We rebuild clean geometry and correct discrepancies so the result is manufacture-ready.
Absolutely. Many customers want the original part recreated and improved (stronger walls, better fixing points, revised clearances).
Common outputs include STEP/IGES for CAD exchange and STL for printing, plus 2D drawing formats where required.
Yes, if printing is the right solution, we can produce prototypes or finished parts using our FDM printers.
In general, you should only reverse engineer items you own and have the rights/permission to reproduce. If you’re unsure, we can keep the project focused on repair/fitment or functional replacement rather than copying protected design features.
Reverse Engineering, 3D Scanning, 3D Design & CAD Services
send your CAD designs direct to us for an instant quotation
Completed Projects
Here at Lincs 3D over the last several years we have completed many projects, from 3D scanning, CAD Design and 3D Design to 3D Printing, below are just a few of our recent projects, for more click the portfolio or gallery buttons within the menu.
his project involved scanning an existing boat trim and then reverse-engineering it to accommodate larger control buttonholes.
We received the original conveyor parts and subsequently redrew and re-sketched them. Our team then slightly redesigned them to accommodate a new component size
We produced these parts for training new staff members in train maintenance tasks. Our process involved 3D scanning the original components, followed by reverse engineering, and then 3D printing full models
This oversized replacement air box for a World War II tracked vehicle was designed by a client and his daughter.
Planning concept model of an industrial building profile printed to scale in support of a sensitive planning application
A selection of our 3D printer modelling results linked to our high resolution scanning devices
An intricate 3D printing commission underway for one of our long term customers who have become to rely upon the accuracy of our design capabilities
Detailed steelwork and cladding design drawing package produced from Structural Engineer base model drawing..
