The automotive industry is evolving faster than ever. Whether improving product performance, reducing lead times, solving supply-chain challenges, or acceleating R&D, digital workflows are now central to staying competitive. At the heart of this shift are two enabling technologies: high-resolution 3D scanning and industrial additive manfuacturing. Together they close the loop between physical and digital, enabling rapid iteration, reverse engineering, validation, and production-ready end-use components.

At Mark3D, we align with manufacturers who are building these next-generation digital workflows. By bringing together Artec 3D scanners and Markforged composite and metal 3D printing systems, we help automotive organisations transform how they design, test, verify, and manufacture parts.

The Opportunity: Connecting Physical and Digital Worlds

Traditionally, taking a physical object and turning it into a usable digital file required manual measurement, CAD recreation, and guesswork – a slow, error-prone process that introduced significant engineering friction.

Today, professional 3D scanning closes this gap. Artec’s handheld, and automated laser and structured-light scanners, capture complex surfaces with sub-millimetre accuracy, even on contoured automotive parts such as:

  • Complex housings and brackets
  • Body panels and interiors
  • Legacy or obsolete components
  • Motorsport performance parts
  • Tooling, fixtures, and production aids

Once digitised, the file can be inspected, modified, or upgraded – then printed using Markforged industrial 3D printers in continuous carbon fibre composites or specialist metals such as tool steel, Inconel, and pure copper.

This scan-to-print workflow creates a seamless, tightly integrated development loop.

Where This Workflow Delivers Value

  1. Reverse Engineering & Legacy Component Support: Classic vehicles, motorsports applications, and specialist commercial fleets often face discontinued or low-volume parts. With Artec scanning, engineers can accurately digitise the original geometry, repair worn features in CAD, and produce a strong, functional replacement using Markforged composites or metals.
    A great example of this in action is West Coast Customs, who use Artec scanners to capture complex automotive geometry for custom builds, restoration projects and performance upgrades. By digitising vehicles with high accuracy, their team eliminates manual measurement, speeds up fabrication, and ensures perfect fit first time. You can read the full Artec case study here and watch their scanning workflow in action on YouTube here.
  2. Rapid Production Tooling & Fixtures: Production lines depend on jigs, nests, alignment fixtures, marking guides, and quality-control tooling that must withstand daily industrial use. Markforged’s continuous fibre reinforcement technology produces printed tools that approach the strength of machined aluminium, while often reducing weight – ideal for ergonomic shop-floor handling.
  3. Prototyping & Design Verification: Scanning allows real-world objects to be rapidly compared to CAD data for deviation analysis. Engineers can verify fit, form and assembly interfaces before committing to production, saving time, material, and machining hours.
  4. Low-Run & Custom Manufacturing: Motorsport, performance tuning, EV conversions, and specialty vehicle builds thrive on fast customisation. Digital workflows reduce lead times from weeks to days and eliminate long tooling cycles.

Example Workflow: Scan – Modify – Verify – Print

  1. Scan part or assembly using Artec Leo, Eva, or Micro
  2. Convert & refine using Artec Studio to produce high-accuracy, watertight CAD
  3. Adjust & optimise: Weight reduction, internal channels, reinforced features
  4. Print using Markforged FX20, FX10, MetalX, X7 or desktop
  5. Inspect via scan-based QA to confirm tolerances and assembly fit.

This loop can be repeated rapidly – reducing project timelines by 70-90% compared to external maching or long-cycle tooling.

Aligned With Advanced Manufacturing

Mark3D supports customers at every stage of digital transformation:

  • Technology evaluation
  • ROI and application analysis
  • Workflow integration and training
  • Material, scanner, and printer selection
  • Ongoing support and continuous improvement

The combination of Artec’s industry-leading metrology-grade scanners with Markforged’s scalable industrial additive platform aligns organisations with the future of automotive manufacturing: digital, distributed, adaptable, and data-driven.

Ready to Transform Your Automotive Workflow?

Mark3D works with OEMs, Tier suppliers, motorsport engineers, aftermarket specialists, and restoration professionals who are ready to accelerate innovation and production.

If you’re exploring digital workflows, from reverse engineering and inspection to tooling and end-use parts, our team can help you define the right solution.

Get in touch to request a workflow demonstration, scan sample, or printed part evaluation.