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3D IMAGING SERVICES
Services for Industry
The Natural Sciences Museum offers professional 3D surface scanning for industrial clients using a blue-laser handheld system. The service provides accurate, non-contact capture of external geometry, suitable for complex shapes, fine surface detail, and challenging materials.
Surface scanning supports applications including dimensional inspection, reverse engineering, quality control, wear analysis, and documentation of complex or legacy components. Work is carried out by experienced specialists with backgrounds in scientific and university laboratory environments, following recognised ISO principles and best practice.
Scan data is supplied in standard mesh or point-cloud formats compatible with common engineering and design software. Services are delivered on a project basis, with scope and outputs agreed in advance to ensure reliable, high-quality results.
Services for Academia
The Natural Sciences Museum offers 3D surface scanning services tailored to the needs of academic researchers, using a blue-laser handheld system. The service supports high-resolution, non-contact capture of external geometry suitable for research, teaching, and publication.
Surface scanning can be applied to a wide range of academic uses, including morphological analysis, comparative studies, digital archiving, and research-led documentation of objects and specimens. The museum works with researchers who understand academic workflows, data standards, and publication requirements, ensuring outputs are appropriate for scholarly use.
Projects can be structured as service work or collaborative research, with discounted rates available for academic partnerships. Confidentiality can be maintained through non-disclosure agreements where required, allowing data to remain private until publication. Data are provided in standard formats compatible with common research and analysis software.
Services for Collectors / Enthusiasts
For collectors and individuals curious about the objects they own, 3D surface scanning offers a way to explore and preserve items digitally without altering or damaging them. Using a handheld 3D scanner, the service can capture fine surface detail from a wide variety of objects, from fossils and natural history material to collectibles, toys, models, and household items.
Surface scans can be used for personal documentation, digital archiving, display planning, or simply to create files for 3D printing. Each item is treated with care and discretion, and scanning is adapted to suit the object and the purpose. Digital models are supplied in accessible formats, allowing collectors to view, store, or share their objects in three dimensions while preserving the originals.
PRICING
3D surface scanning services are charged at a standard rate of £80 per hour. Reduced rates are available for charities and academic users, with pricing provided on request depending on project scope and collaboration requirements.
Additional post-processing work, including mesh cleaning, alignment, and data preparation, is charged at £40 per hour. All pricing is discussed in advance to ensure clarity and transparency before work begins.
OUR EQUIPMENT
3D Scanners
Creaform HandySCAN BLACK Elite (blue-laser handheld)
A metrology-grade handheld scanner used for high-accuracy surface capture on complex parts and challenging finishes.
- Accuracy: 0.025 mm
- Volumetric accuracy: 0.020 mm + 0.040 mm/m (and improved with MaxSHOT workflows)
- Measurement capabilities: detects fine features such as small steps/holes (application-dependent)
3DMakerpro Seal Pro (structured-light)
A compact, high-detail scanner suited to smaller objects and controlled capture where fine surface fidelity matters.
- Accuracy: 0.01 mm
- Resolution: 0.05 mm
- Typical object size range: ~10–300 mm
- Working distance: ~180–280 mm
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