Nashville, TN — Nationwide
Laser Scanning & Reverse Engineering
Schimmel Engineering captures the physical world with NIST-traceable metrology. From a discontinued machine part to a full-size aircraft, we scan it, model it, and get it back into production. Not LiDAR. Not consumer-grade. Engineering-class instruments operated by a licensed Professional Engineer.
Creaform HandyScan Black Elite
The instrument of choice when microns matter — parts, assemblies, castings, and tooling up to 4m.
Creaform HandyScan MAX Elite
Full vehicles, aircraft, boats, excavators, and industrial equipment — up to 50 feet across in a single session.
Four Areas. Deep Capability.
Machine Reverse Engineering & Mechanism Design
Scan-to-CAD reproduction of discontinued, one-off, and vintage machine components — and clean sheet mechanism design when no original exists. From engine cases to custom brackets, production-ready models for CNC machining and fabrication.
Learn More →Themed Entertainment & Animatronics
Lead mechanical engineering on a 35,000 lb, 17-axis electrically actuated animatronic dinosaur — from concept through global touring installation. Also designed the mechanism and shells for an 8-foot, 5-axis animatronic Sasquatch shown at IAAPA 2024.
Learn More →Metrology & Industrial Inspection
NIST-traceable dimensional inspection and GD&T analysis. First article inspection, deviation mapping, and as-built verification for machined parts, weldments, and assemblies.
Learn More →Historical Preservation Scanning
Millimeter-accurate documentation and reproduction of ornamental plaster, column capitals, crown molding, and architectural details. Supports National Register and historic tax credit projects.
Learn More →What We Do
High-Precision Mechanical Metrology — Not LiDAR Site Surveys.
AEC scanning firms use LiDAR where inch-level accuracy suffices. Schimmel Engineering provides high-precision mechanical metrology using the Creaform HandyScan Black Elite — capturing 1.8 million points per second at 0.025mm accuracy. We're the Nashville experts for reverse engineering, mechanism design, machine part alignment, and GD&T checks where microns matter.
Our software extracts design intent from your original geometry — ensuring high-fidelity, machine-ready CAD models for critical applications.
Learn About ScanningHow It Works
Scan
We bring the HandyScan Black Elite to your facility or you mail us the part. Setup in minutes. 10–45 minutes per object. No scanning spray, no disruption, no damage.
Process
Raw point cloud data is cleaned and refined in Creaform OS 2.2 — removing noise, extracting geometry, and isolating design intent from years of wear.
Model
Geometry is rebuilt as a fully parametric SolidWorks model with GD&T drawings — ready for CNC machining, casting, additive manufacturing, or inspection.
Produce
We manage vendors, coordinate production runs, and deliver end-user documentation. From a single file to a finished product on your shelf.
We Don't Just Recreate Parts. We Improve Them.
Unlike basic scanning services that replicate wear, our Design Intent Reconstruction analyzes damaged geometry to determine original specifications — so your replacement components perform better than the originals.
Mail-In Scanning
No Site Visit Required.
Ship your brackets, housings, or engine components to our Nashville lab (37206). We scan, process, and return your part with a complete digital file package — typically within 72 hours.
Mail-in scanning eliminates mobilization costs entirely. It's the fastest, most affordable entry point into precision scan data — available to clients across the United States and internationally.
For on-site work, we're conveniently located in Nashville with rapid response to Mt. Juliet, Franklin, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro, and Spring Hill. Site visits start at $390 within 50 miles of 37206. Equipment fits in hand-carried cases, operates from battery, and deploys anywhere in the world.
Trusted by Industry Leaders
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect to spend?
- Mail-in single object — from $130
- Site visits — from $390 within 50 miles of 37206
- Parametric solid model — $250–$500 per part
- Manufacturing drawings — add $500–$1,000
What is 3D scanning and how does it work?
Blue light 3D scanning projects structured fringe patterns onto objects, using dual-camera triangulation to capture X, Y, Z coordinates. Creaform scanners use specific blue-wavelength filters to eliminate ambient light noise — achieving 0.025mm accuracy even on reflective surfaces. The resulting point cloud is converted into machinist-ready CAD models.
Will I be able to edit this in SolidWorks or AutoCAD?
The raw scan output is an OBJ or STL mesh — not directly editable in parametric CAD and not suitable for CNC machining. If you need parametric CAD, we convert scan data into fully editable SolidWorks models. We only sell you what you need and help you select the right level of processing for your project.
Can you work with worn or broken parts?
Yes. Once geometry extraction begins, design intent often becomes clear — planes of symmetry, whole-number dimensions, and original tolerances emerge naturally. Broken parts require more effort but are a specialty.
How disruptive is your process?
Equipment fits in hand-carried cases, operates from battery, and can be used inside facilities, inside equipment, and in remote locations. Setup takes minutes. Most single objects take 10–45 minutes to capture. Reflective and black surfaces require no scanning spray. Lasers are Class 1 and eye safe.
Accuracy certification & metrology
Our scanner is metrology-grade and NIST-traceable certified.
Accuracy
0.025 mm / 0.0009 in
Vol. Accuracy
0.020 mm + 0.015 mm/m
Resolution
0.025 mm / 0.0009 in
Rate
1,800,000 pts/sec
Part Size
0.05 – 4 m
Certification
NIST Traceable
What makes you different?
We don't just operate laser scanners. We offer the perspective of mechanics, machinists, fabricators, and makers inside a professional engineering environment. We aren't just clicking buttons in CAD — we get greasy, build, and break the things we make.
What do I do with scan data?
Scan data is the foundation for reverse engineering, analysis, and design. We can take your data all the way to a product on the shelf or a part in hand — or hand off cleanly to the next person in your workflow: artist, engineer, fabricator, designer, or maker.
What types of industries do you work with?
Manufacturing, automotive, powersports, quality inspection, machine building, theatrical, themed entertainment, and historic preservation. If it involves a physical part and precision, we've probably done something similar.
Do you do one-off projects?
Absolutely. We specialize in low-volume and one-off work. While we love our regulars, bespoke one-time service is something we genuinely enjoy.
What We Work With
Hardware & Software
Scanning Hardware
Client Reviews
"Ryan was incredibly professional and knowledgeable. The scan data came back clean and exactly what we needed to get our part back into production. We'll be back."
"We shipped a worn casting with no drawings and got back a fully parametric SolidWorks model with GD&T callouts. Turnaround was fast and communication was excellent throughout."
"I've used several scanning services over the years. Schimmel Engineering is the only one that actually understood what the data was going to be used for and delivered accordingly."
Still Not Sure?
Look at the work. Read the case studies. Or just reach out — consultations are free and we respond fast.