Shining 3D scanners used by SMI3D AS to digitize 8-meter RIB hull for reverse engineering

SMI3D AS, a Norwegian 3D printing solutions provider, has completed a project to digitize an 8-meter Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) hull using two handheld wireless scanners from Shining 3D. CEO and Founder Stian Marthinsen employed the EinScan Libre for broad surface acquisition across the hull, leveraging its 983 × 979 mm field of view and onboard NVIDIA processor for standalone operation, and the EinScan Rigil for fine structural features at up to 0.05 mm geometric resolution using seven-parallel laser lines. The dual-scanner workflow captured complete 3D data of the hull in a single coordinated session, which was then reverse-engineered into a parametric CAD model for integration into digital boatbuilding workflows.

This project illustrates the growing convergence between 3D scanning and additive manufacturing in traditional marine construction, a sector that has largely relied on manual measurements and iterative physical adjustments. Shining 3D, a Chinese metrology hardware manufacturer, is positioning its wireless scanning ecosystem as an enabler for reverse engineering in large-format applications, competing with established metrology players like Creaform and Artec 3D. The marine vertical remains a fragmented, early-stage adoption market for digital workflows, but this case demonstrates how portable, high-resolution scanning can bridge the gap between physical hull geometry and CAD-based design for downstream AM production or mold making.

For SMI3D AS, the practical next step is to validate whether the scanned CAD model can be directly used for large-format AM production of marine components, such as molds or replacement parts, without significant manual rework. For Shining 3D, this application reinforces the value of its wireless, standalone scanning capability in field environments where external computing is impractical. The project is a concrete, small-scale proof point for digital boatbuilding, not a market inflection.