Berding 3D Scanning Introduces Services with Free Holiday STL Files

Milford, Ohio, December 16 - - Berding 3D Scanning, LLC, a reverse engineering and laser scanning services company, announced that it is introducing its services with complimentary downloads of holiday oriented STL files. The Santa Claus and reindeer files may be used for rapid prototyping or CNC machining.

The traditional Santas and stylized reindeer first appeared as handcrafted figures. Using its Minolta Vivid 910 laser scanner, Berding captured the physical form of these figures to generate a point cloud— comprised of millions of data points—of the surface geometry of each item. To generate the polygonal model (STL file), the company relied on PolyWorks software. For design modification, analysis or inspection, PolyWorks also generates NURB surfaces for importing into 3D CAD solid and surface modeling packages.

According to Mat Cappel, 3D scanning/modeling technician at Berding, “We selected the Santa and reindeer carvings for two reasons. First, they are examples of the organic, freeform shapes that are difficult to model in CAD but perfect for 3D scanning. Second, it is the Holidays. What better way to celebrate the season?”

3D laser scanning is a commercially available technology that is commonly used when 3D CAD data is non-existent or when the data differs from the “as built” part. Reverse engineering is the term that collectively describes applications where scanning technology is used as a CAD input device. The technology extends beyond design, engineering and analysis to manufacturing and quality control applications. It is also used to document, archive or reproduce historical items, antiquities or older products that lack definition by engineering drawings or CAD data.

Berding 3D Scanning's president, Gerard Berding, established the company as an extension of the scanning services of Berding Surveying, which was founded in 1991. Applying the scanning technologies and experience of its sister company, Berding 3D Scanning offers reverse engineering and 3D data capture for both small component parts and large, immovable objects such as manufacturing facilities.

The Santa Claus and reindeer STL files can be accessed here.

About Berding 3D Scanning

Berding 3D Scanning, LLC provides reverse engineering and laser scanning services for the capture of 3D digital data from physical forms. With both long-range and short-range scanning systems, the company develops digital representations of physical objects that range from small component parts to entire plant layouts. Applications for the services include reverse engineering for design modification, duplication and analysis; inspection and measurement of products and tooling; and archival of items that lack digital definition. The company serves the industrial, engineering and manufacturing disciplines, as well as those in the arts and sciences, with offsite and onsite laser scanning. Architectural scanning is offered through the company's sister organization, Berding Surveying. Both organizations are located in Milford, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati.