Two main factors should be considered when scanning molds: size and accuracy.

1. Size consideration
If you need profile data of your small to medium-sized part, laser scanning on a fixed system with a high-accuracy probe yields the best results.
If you need profile data of large parts or onsite scanning, a portable arm-based laser probe suits your needs.
For internal cavity scanning on parts that cannot be damaged, CT scanning provides complete detailed external and internal data.

2. Accuracy consideration
A service bureau should be able to provide cost-effective scanning options depending on the size and accuracy requirements of the job—using the highest accuracy system and probe is not always necessary. Lower accuracy scanning probes reduce the scan time while providing adequate and reliable data economically.

Service Provider Selection Tips
1) Selecting a quality service provider for your laser scanning project is essential in obtaining accurate, usable data for your inspection application.

2) Experience counts: Look for a service provider with years of experience who guarantees their results and has successfully performed demanding, complicated projects. As the customer, you may not know exactly the best solution for your job and a service provider with a broad range of experience and tools can give you optimal results at the lowest cost.

3) Equipment counts: Make sure your service provider uses high-end quality equipment and no low-end, low-accuracy scanners. Choose a provider backed by a broad range of portable and in-lab scanners and expert metrologists working in temperature-controlled labs who use the latest digitizing and software technologies available for both contact and non-contact measurement.

4) Customer service counts: How fast is the turnaround time for projects? Are account managers easy to contact and return communications? Your supplier should provide fast turnaround on most projects—2 to 3 days—and project managers who answer queries within 24 hours.

5) Understanding your project counts: The results of laser scanning run along a continuum of relatively simple to extremely complex model formats. Cost, time and level of communication required increase along with the complexity of the results desired. Building understanding between customer and engineer is an extremely important step in the scanning process. Customers should always be asked what they will be doing with their CAD files, so the service provider can offer the correct level of complexity and file format.