When the part you need doesn't exist anymore
It happens to everyone eventually: a plastic clip snaps, a knob cracks, a bracket breaks, and the manufacturer stopped making it years ago. The rest of the item works fine, and you don't want to throw it all out over one small piece.
3D printing can bring that part back. But a printer needs a digital model first. There are two ways to get one:
- Scan the part to capture its shape
- Redraw the part in CAD from measurements
At ALTAY Custom Plastics, we're a custom modeling, scanning, and print shop in Southern Wisconsin, so we do both. Here's how to choose.
Route 1: Redraw it in CAD
CAD (computer-aided design) means modeling the part from scratch using measurements, photos, and the broken original.
CAD works best for:
- Parts with simple, mechanical shapes: brackets, clips, spacers, mounts, knobs
- Parts that need precise fit, such as holes, slots, and mating surfaces
- Parts you want to improve, such as making a weak spot thicker
As our Product Scan page notes, for medium- or high-resolution needs, it may be significantly cheaper to CAD and design the part again. In a lot of cases, scanning can cost more than rebuilding the part in CAD.
Cost: manual CAD work is about $50. If the part can be modeled with AI-assisted modeling, the modeling is included in the print price. Two or three revisions are included. To get started, email us or start a conversation.
We can also handle multi-step manufacturing, such as parts that need screws or other subcomponents.
Route 2: Scan it
Our 3D Product Scan service uses tested photogrammetry techniques to digitize parts into reproducible, printable pieces while minimizing noise.
Scanning works best for:
- Organic or sculpted shapes that are hard to measure: figures, toy models, curved art pieces
- Parts you want to duplicate or scale up or down
- Items where capturing the look matters more than tight tolerances
Revisions: one revision is included.
Size range: parts larger than a penny and up to the size of a standard desktop computer.
Resolution options and pricing (from the product page):
| Resolution | Price |
|---|---|
| Aesthetic | $950 |
| Medium Resolution | $4,500 |
| High Resolution | $10,000 |
There's no strict definition for each tier, but in plain terms:
- Aesthetic is for pieces like a statue, where being off by a millimeter or two doesn't matter.
- High Resolution is for a precise, tight-tolerance match to what you need. We discuss your requirements up front.
- Medium Resolution falls in between.
Want to see scanning in practice? Read how we digitized a master horse saddle model for reproduction, learn more about photogrammetry for product development, or browse our digitization gallery.
Scan or CAD: a quick guide
| Your part | Best first step |
|---|---|
| Simple bracket, clip, knob or spacer | CAD |
| Needs a precise fit with other parts | CAD |
| Sculpted, organic or decorative shape | Scan |
| You want to scale it larger or smaller | Scan or CAD; ask us |
| Not sure | Contact us |
Not sure? You don't have to decide alone. As the scan page says, reach out for a quote and we'll help determine the best method for your project.
Route 3: You already have a model
If you've found a ready-made model online, or you already have a file, skip straight to printing. Our Custom 3D Print service starts from $20:
- Sizes: Small (up to 1" × 1" × 1"), Medium (up to 3" × 3" × 3"), Large (up to 6" × 8" × 24")
- Material: PLA
- Colors: black, white, orange, blue, red
You must have the rights to print the model.
What to send us
To get a quote for scanning or CAD, contact us with:
- Photos of the broken part from several angles, plus where it goes
- Measurements of key features, if you can take them
- What the part does (does it bear weight, get hot, sit outside?)
- How many you need
How the process works
- Send photos. Photos are a good start.
- Short video, if needed. We may ask for a quick video around the part, filmed in a specific way.
- We build the 3D model.
- You approve the model before anything is printed.
- We print it and ship it to you.
Custom work is non-returnable. If there's an issue, we can edit the model. Manual edits cost a little extra.
Choosing a material
Most of our printing is in PLA. Depending on how the part is used (heat, load, outdoor exposure), another material may be a better fit. Read the pros and cons of different filament materials, and tell us how your part is used when you ask for a quote.
FAQ
Can you 3D print a part that's no longer made? Often, yes. We create a digital model by scanning the part or redrawing it in CAD, then print it.
Is scanning or CAD cheaper? For many parts, especially at medium or high resolution, redrawing in CAD may be significantly cheaper. Ask us for a quote.
How much does a scan cost? Aesthetic $950, Medium Resolution $4,500, High Resolution $10,000.
How big can a scanned part be? Larger than a penny and up to the size of a standard desktop computer.
I already have a file. How much is a print? Custom 3D Print starts from $20, depending on size.
Do I need the broken part? Photos are a good start. We may ask for a quick video around the part, and you approve the 3D model before we print.
Can I return a custom part? Custom work is non-returnable. If there's an issue, we can edit the model; manual edits cost a little extra.
Bring that part back
Got a broken or obsolete part? Contact us with photos and we'll recommend scanning or CAD. Already have a file? Order a Custom 3D Print. Need a full digitization? See our Product Scan service.
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