3D scanning – the first step in tuning

3D car scanning is a non-contact measurement of the shape of the bodywork. The laser scanner projects light onto the body and records its reflections. Based on these, the software calculates the position of a huge number of points on the car’s surface and assembles them into a three-dimensional digital model.

A model like this captures the real car with a level of accuracy you could never achieve with a tape measure or from photos. It shows every crease in the bumper, every curve and every break in the body lines. It’s exactly these details that decide whether a part fits perfectly – or only “more or less”.

We scan real cars so that our designers can design parts based on a computer model of a specific vehicle, not on guesswork. It’s the foundation of the fit of every Maxton Design product.

A cheap replica is usually a copy of someone else’s part or is made from photos. Each successive copy loses accuracy, and the result is gaps at the bumper and parts that have to be forced into place. A part designed from a 3D scan of a real car is made for its actual shape from the very start. You can read more about these differences in our article “How Maxton Design splitters are made”.

3D scanning at Maxton Design takes place in several stages – from choosing the model, through the scan itself at our headquarters, to handing the data over to our designers.

1. Choosing the car

First, we choose a model we want to work on, or a car owner gets in touch with us. Every proposal is reviewed by our design department. Once the decision is made, the car comes to our headquarters in Wojnicz near Tarnów, where we design and manufacture all our parts.

2. Scanning the bodywork

A specialist scans the body with a 3D laser scanner. The device reads light reflected off the bodywork and builds a highly detailed digital model from it. The method is completely non-invasive – nothing is unbolted, nothing is drilled, and the car leaves us in exactly the same condition it arrived in.

3. Handing the data to the designers

The scan goes to the designers along with photos of the car and precise measurements. That’s the complete set of information from which the design of new parts begins.

After scanning, the 3D model becomes the basis for design. The designer creates a digital prototype of the part on it using specialist software and can immediately see how the part will look on the car.

Two things matter in the design. The first is precision: a splitter, side splitter, or diffuser has to sit against the bodywork along its entire length. The second is aesthetics: the part should continue the car’s lines and look as if it had been fitted at the factory. A 3D model of a real car makes it possible to achieve both before the first physical part is made.

Once the design is ready, the digital model is turned into physical moulds and then into finished parts. For ABS parts, the 3D design is used to make a CNC-milled mould on which we form the parts – we described this in our article on thermoforming. For carbon, the same model is used to make working moulds and the carbon production moulds – read more in our article “Carbon – how we make carbon fibre parts”.

Before we start series production, we fit the first prototype set to the very car that was scanned earlier. Our fitters check every gap and every mounting point. If anything needs adjusting, we correct the mould or the cutting program. Photos and videos for our shop are also taken during this visit, which is why you see a real part on a real car on our product pages.

For you, 3D scanning means one thing above all: a part designed for the actual shape of your car model. That translates into a precise fit with the bumper, easier fitting and a result that looks factory-made.

Bear in mind, though, that this precision applies to a specific version of the car – with a given styling package, before or after a facelift. So before you buy, make sure you’re choosing the part for your version of the car. We explain how to check this in our article “How do you know a splitter will fit?”.

If you haven’t found a part for your car, fill in the “Can’t find your car? Submit it” form. Enter the make, model, version, generation, body type and year of production, add photos of the car and tell us whether you’re interested in a full kit or a specific product. We review every submission and use them to decide on new projects – and every new project starts with a 3D scan.

Can 3D scanning damage my car?

No. 3D scanning is a non-contact, non-invasive method. The scanner only reads light reflected off the bodywork, so nothing needs to be unbolted, removed or drilled.

Why scan a car when the manufacturer has technical documentation?

A scan shows the actual shape of the specific car the part will be fitted to. This lets us design parts based on how the car really looks, not on data we don’t have access to.

Do Maxton Design parts fit models other than the one that was scanned?

No. Our products are based on 3D scans of specific models, so they are designed for a particular version of a car and won’t fit other vehicles.

Where are the 3D scans carried out?

Scanning takes place at our headquarters in Wojnicz near Tarnów. That’s also where we design and manufacture all Maxton Design parts.

Can I submit my car for scanning?

Yes. Fill in the submission form on our website. We review every submission and use them to decide on new projects. If you have any questions, get in touch with us.