Reverse-Engineered Replacement Stock - Discontinued Part Reproduction

Client: Private customer  |  Scope: 3D scan reverse engineering & reproduction  |  Material: Nylon

The Problem

The customer had bought this stock online years ago, and after a while it developed a crack along the side — the kind of damage that eventually turns into a full break with regular use. The part isn't made anymore, so replacing it wasn't as simple as reordering.

The Process

I started by scanning the original stock to capture its exact geometry, cracks and all, giving me an accurate reference to reverse engineer from.

From there, I rebuilt the part as a proper CAD model, using the scan data as a dimensional reference and confirming key measurements by hand with digital calipers — the same process I use on any reverse-engineering project, since scan data alone is rarely clean enough to print directly from.

Since durability was the whole reason this part failed in the first place, I printed the final version in PAHTCF rather than a more common filament — it holds up significantly better under repeated stress and impact, which matters for a part that flexes and takes a hit every time it's used.

The Result

The customer now has a replacement that matches the original fit and shape, printed in a material better suited to the abuse this part actually takes — so hopefully this one lasts a lot longer than the one it's replacing.

Have a discontinued or broken part you need reverse engineered instead of replaced? Get in touch and let's see if it's a good fit for scanning.