3D Reverse Engineering Services Auckland & NZ Wide

Recon provides 3D reverse engineering services across Auckland and New Zealand. Accurate digital capture of real-world parts and equipment are delivered as pointclouds, digital 3D mesh files or production-ready CAD models, with sub-millimetre precision and turnaround in as little as two business days.

Why Reverse Engineering?

Reverse engineering gives you the power to:

  • Recreate parts when drawings are lost

  • Modify designs without starting from scratch

  • Improve product performance

  • Digitise legacy equipment

  • Validate supplier parts

  • Speed up innovation cycles

For many businesses, it’s the fastest path from physical reality to usable engineering data.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help. We're Auckland-based and provide services nationwide.

Industries We Work With

  • Handheld 3D scan of a motorcycle fuel tank for reverse engineering

    Mechanical and Engineering

    Worn, obsolete or one-off parts, tooling and assemblies are captured with sub-millimetre handheld scanning and rebuilt as production-ready CAD, even when the original drawings are long gone. Engineers get accurate as-built geometry for redesign, fit checks and analysis, and product designers can turn physical prototypes into editable models without manual measurement.

  • Handheld 3D scan of a boat hull section for marine reverse engineering

    Marine

    Our portable 3D scanning for reverse engineering goes to the boat, on the hardstand or at the berth, capturing hulls, fittings, propellers and heavy marine machinery on-site. The resulting CAD supports repairs, refits, modifications and accurate replacement parts.

  • 3D CAD model of an electrical enclosure from handheld scanning

    Electrical

    Enclosures, brackets, housings and worn components are scanned in place, so equipment does not need to be dismantled or taken offline for long. Maintenance teams get accurate models for replacement and retrofit parts that fit first time, cutting downtime.

  • Handheld 3D scan of an ornate heritage building element

    Heritage

    Non-contact handheld scanning records fragile, rare or irreplaceable items in fine detail without risk to the original. The digital model supports accurate restoration, replication of missing pieces and a permanent record for the future.

  • 3D scan of an alloy wheel for automotive reverse engineering

    Automotive

    Rare, modified and performance parts are scanned directly on the vehicle, with no disassembly and no drawings needed. Sub-millimetre accuracy means they can be replicated, remanufactured or redesigned for performance upgrades, from classic restorations to motorsport.

  • 3D scan mesh of a shoe prop for film and TV

    Prop

    Props, set pieces and production assets are scanned into precise 3D models for fast duplication and digital use. Film and TV teams can keep continuity across shoots, feed VFX workflows and recreate assets quickly if an original is damaged.

  • Recon combine high-end portable 3D scanning technology with expert CAD modelling workflows to deliver reliable, repeatable results.

    Why clients trust us:

    • On-site portable 3D scanning anywhere in New Zealand

    • Industrial-grade accuracy and repeatability

    • End-to-end scan + model service (not just raw data)

    • Proven workflows refined across hundreds of projects

    • Fast turnaround with minimal disruption to operations

    • Deliverables ready for engineering, analysis, and manufacturing

    • Option to rent scanner itself.

    • We hold a SiteWise Gold Certificate for health and Safety.

    • Our Recon team includes highly experienced CAA Part 102 certified UAV pilots.

    Our portable 3D scanning services are ideal for reverse engineering and modelling purposes – whether you need a one-off part recreated or an entire product range digitised.

    To give you confidence in our process:

    • Typical scanning accuracy: sub-millimetre precision

    • Parts handled: from 20 mm components to multi-metre machinery

    • Turnaround times: 2–10 business days for most projects

    • On-site scanning nationwide

    • Hundreds of successful reverse engineering projects completed

  • We follow a proven, repeatable workflow to ensure accuracy and consistency:

    1. How Does the Reverse Engineering Process Begin? Understand your goals, tolerances and required outputs.

    2. How Is an Object Captured for Reverse Engineering? Portable 3D scanning at your location capturing every detail of the object in 3D space, generating a 3D mesh that serves as a digital representation of the item.

    3. How Is 3D Scan Data Processed? Following scanning, we address any unwanted artifacts such as noise, outliers, holes, or ghost geometry in the data. Through manual processes, we fill holes, clean, align, and merge scan data to create a true scanned replica.

    4. How Is a 3D Mesh Created from Scan Data?  Creation of accurate digital 3D mesh.

    5. How Does Scan to CAD Work? We provide you with a comprehensive digital representation of your part. Our CAD outputs can be utilised for reverse engineering, quality inspection and prototyping purposes. Whether laying surfaces over the scan mesh or building clean CAD surfaces, we tailor our approach to deliver optimal results for your project.

    6. How Are Reverse Engineering Models Checked for Accuracy?  Verification against scan data.

    7. What Do You Receive at the End of a Reverse Engineering Project?  Delivery & Support – final files supplied in your preferred formats.

    This structured approach ensures that every project moves smoothly from real-world object to high-quality digital asset.

  • Reverse engineering is the process of turning physical objects into precise digital models, from small components to large industrial assets. It allows businesses to recreate, modify, improve or remanufacture parts when original drawings or CAD files are missing.

    3D Scan to CAD uses Recon's portable 3D scanning technology to accurately capture complex geometry directly on-site, without dismantling equipment or relying on time-consuming manual measurements. Even worn, damaged or irregular surfaces can be scanned with precision, creating a reliable digital model ready for CAD conversion.

    From legacy components to complex mechanical assemblies, we help you move from physical part to fully usable engineering data.

    • Portable on-site 3D scanning minimises downtime by capturing equipment without dismantling it.

    • High-accuracy digital capture delivers reliable measurements, even for complex or worn components.

    • Faster project turnaround reduces time spent on manual measurement and modelling.

    • Flexible CAD deliverables supplied in your preferred file formats, ready for design, manufacturing or BIM workflows.

    • Complete digital records preserve accurate as-built geometry for future maintenance, redesign or replacement.

    • Reduced rework and costly errors through precise, data-driven models that can be verified against the original scan.

‍What Deliverables Will You Receive?

Depending on your project needs, we can transform your part into a pointcloud, digital 3D mesh or 3D CAD model efficiently and effectively.

Typical outputs include:

  • Clean, registered pointcloud data

  • High-resolution watertight 3D mesh files

  • Fully parametric CAD models

  • 2D engineering drawings

  • Quality inspection reports

  • As-built documentation

  • Files compatible with SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion 360, STEP, IGES and more

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Request a quote today – We reply within 24 hours and work NZ wide. Scanner rental available.

Rental

Our portable 3D scanning services offer the option to rent the scanner itself. Whether it's a one-time project or ongoing needs, our comprehensive support make transforming parts into detailed 3D CAD models efficient and effective, regardless of location. Contact us to explore rental options in reverse engineering and inspection.

Recon's Peel3 Handheld scanner for rent

‍FAQs

What accuracy can your 3D scanning achieve?

Accuracy depends on part size and environment, but typical results are 0.1–0.3 mm for small to large objects.

How long does reverse engineering take?

Most projects are completed within 2–14 working days, depending on complexity and required deliverables.

What file formats do you supply?

We can provide pointclouds, digital 3D mesh files, STEP, IGES, STL, SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion 360 and more.

Do you scan on-site?

Yes – our service is fully portable, allowing scanning anywhere in New Zealand with minimal disruption. If you are looking for 3d reverse engineering or back engineering, look no further!

How much does Scan to CAD cost?

Pricing depends on part size, complexity, accuracy requirements and deliverables. We provide clear fixed quotes after reviewing your part.

Can you reverse engineer broken or worn parts?

Absolutely – we can reconstruct missing geometry and create manufacturable CAD models.

Is 3D scanning better than manual measurement?

Yes. It is faster, more accurate and captures full geometry rather than limited point measurements. Contact our team to discuss your scanning and reverse engineering requirements.

Can you handle large equipment?

Yes – our portable systems are designed for everything from small components to large industrial assets.

Ready to Start Your Reverse Engineering Project?  Send us your photos, sketches or sample part details – we’ll respond within 24 hours.