Produce spare parts yourself with 3D printer: CAD or 3D scan, which is more efficient?

In a new video, YouTuber Thomas Sanladerer compares two ways to repair a defective toilet part using 3D printing: Digitizing it using a 3D scanner and redesigning it in CAD. It turned out that both methods have advantages and disadvantages.

The trigger was a broken plastic component in the toilet flush. To replace it, he first scanned an intact original part. After initial difficulties with the software, a usable 3D scan was achieved. At the same time, Thomas also modeled the replacement part from scratch in CAD.

However, he made mistakes with the dimensions, so that the print did not fit. Only after a correction were the dimensions correct. In comparison, the scan was faster at 30 minutes, but Thomas enjoyed the CAD model more. The scan quality, on the other hand, was higher.

Conclusion of the YouTube tinkerer: 3D scanning often makes more sense for complex parts. CAD design allows more freedom of design. Scans can help as reference objects. Both methods are well suited for producing spare parts yourself.