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In the infrastructure sector, where full asset replacement is often impractical, technology becomes a key ally to extend the lifespan of legacy tools. This is the case for Saint-Gobain PAM Canalisation, a company with over 160 years of history, which found in 3D scanning an effective solution to preserve its industrial legacy and move confidently into the future.

An Industrial Legacy Facing New Challenges

Saint-Gobain PAM Canalisation, part of the Saint-Gobain Group, is a global leader in manufacturing ductile iron pipes for water transportation, sanitation, and industrial applications. Founded in 1856, it has continuously evolved to meet market demands, remaining at the forefront of innovation.

One of its current key challenges is digitizing old mold tools, essential for manufacturing plates used in road systems. These tools often lack CAD design files or modern technical documentation. However, a full replacement would involve high costs and operational complexity. The solution: accurately capture their geometry and generate reliable 3D models for reuse.

Creaform Technology: Precise, Fast, and Reliable

To address this challenge, PAM turned to Creaform solutions, specifically the HandySCAN 3D|BLACK scanner, known for its metrological accuracy, portability, and ease of use. This technology allowed them to capture every detail of the legacy tools and convert them into digital models with complete fidelity to the original design.

Before implementing this solution, PAM relied on traditional measurement methods, including coordinate measuring machines (CMM). However, the process was slow, error-prone, and inadequate for efficiently capturing complex geometries.

With the new system, they implemented a complete scanning ecosystem, including:

• A dedicated room equipped with a rotary table and a 75-inch monitor.
• A portable PC for flexible scanner use across production, quality control, and maintenance.
• Integration of the scanner with Geomagic Design X and Control X software for reverse engineering and quality control.

Transformative Results

The implementation of 3D scanning had an immediate impact on PAM’s processes:

Significant Time Reduction

A project that previously required 2 to 3 months with manual methods can now be completed in just 2 weeks. Thanks to the HandySCAN 3D|BLACK’s 11 crossed lasers, data acquisition is rapid, even on shiny or reflective surfaces, without needing matte sprays.

Higher Precision and Access to Complex Areas

The scanner captures precise data in hard-to-reach areas such as deep cavities, which was not possible with previous technologies. This enables much more accurate and reliable modeling.

Portability and Ease of Use

The system is used by various departments, whether in the scanning room, workshop, or on-site, expanding its applications and improving team collaboration.

Operational Savings and Mold Reuse

Beyond saving time and reducing errors, digitization allows for reusing existing tools, representing significant savings in manufacturing and maintenance.

Conclusion: Moving Forward Without Leaving What Works Behind

The Saint-Gobain PAM Canalisation case shows that it is possible to advance digitalization without losing the value of accumulated experience. Thanks to Creaform’s 3D scanning technology and integration with advanced software tools, the company has successfully preserved its industrial heritage and enhanced it with efficiency, precision, and a forward-looking vision.

Reaume Brothers Racing is a professional American stock car racing team competing full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Led by Josh Reaume, the team fields the No. 22 Ford F-150 with various drivers, the No. 27 part-time for Keith McGee, and the No. 33 full-time for Lawless Alan.

As an engineering-driven team, Reaume Brothers Racing is constantly exploring innovative solutions to stay competitive in a sport where strict regulations and limited testing opportunities are the norm. On top of that, they must ensure their constantly modified vehicles remain compliant with NASCAR rules at every race.

The Challenge: Traditional 3D Measurements Hindered Innovation

One of the team’s biggest challenges was acquiring accurate 3D measurements of their truck bodies. Initially, they relied on low-precision methods such as tape measures—leading to errors and inconsistencies that jeopardized compliance with NASCAR standards.

This lack of precision not only introduced a high risk of human error but also restricted engineers’ ability to confidently evaluate the condition of the vehicles both before and after races. At one point, they even outsourced their 3D measurement needs to a competitor—far from ideal in such a high-stakes environment.

The need to take control of this process in-house—ensuring accuracy, reliability, and confidentiality—was the turning point that led the team to seek a better solution.

The Solution: Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D Solves the Accuracy Problem

Reaume Brothers Racing turned to Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D for its speed, precision, user-friendliness, and repeatability. Paired with VXinspect for dimensional inspection, the system quickly became a key tool in their quality control process.

The implementation was fast and efficient. After just a few days of training, team members were scanning confidently. They initially used MetraSCAN 3D to establish setup protocols, enabling them to generate accurate 3D measurements and deliver detailed printouts to crew chiefs. This dramatically sped up vehicle setup times between races.

One of the team’s most impactful projects was replicating headrest mounts for their carbon fiber racing seats. Each mount was scanned twice, the scans were merged to fill in gaps, and precise part drawings were generated. This allowed for the seamless production of additional mounts, ensuring their seats were always race-ready.

The Results: Improved Quality Control and Performance

Creaform’s technology has completely transformed Reaume Brothers Racing’s quality control approach. The ultra-precise, high-resolution scans from MetraSCAN 3D allow the team to monitor and maintain their steel-fabricated truck bodies within NASCAR’s strictest tolerances.

Amir Alexander, Team Manager at Reaume Brothers Racing, shared:

“MetraSCAN 3D has significantly improved our ability to maintain and optimize our race vehicles. The precision and ease of use have been game-changers for us.”

He also highlighted the cost and time savings:

“Before we had our Creaform scanner, we had to transport the vehicle to a third-party provider, costing us around $2,000 and a full day—including prep and unloading. Plus, it exposed sensitive data about our trucks to competitors. Now, one employee can complete a scan in the same amount of time it used to take just to load the truck.”

Since implementing the scanner, the team has completed 17 truck scans and 8 part scans—each one delivering critical insights that give them an edge over their rivals.

Conclusion: Gaining a Competitive Edge with 3D Metrology

Creaform’s MetraSCAN 3D has become an essential asset for Reaume Brothers Racing. With its accurate, repeatable measurements, the team has reduced reliance on imprecise tools and human guesswork—ensuring their trucks stay compliant and perform at peak levels.

The success of projects like the headrest mount replication clearly shows how fast, reliable 3D scanning supports high-performance engineering.

As Amir summed it up:

“Implementing Creaform’s technology has given us the confidence to push our engineering further and maintain our edge in this highly competitive sport.”

In the large-scale die casting industry, where every detail matters and errors can lead to costly delays, EXCO Engineering has taken a decisive step to ensure unparalleled quality: adopting Creaform’s 3D scanners and software as a central part of their inspection processes.

A Legacy of Innovation and Precision

Located just 30 minutes from Toronto, EXCO Engineering is a global leader in die casting solutions for powertrain, body, and structural components. Operating from a 130,000-square-foot facility equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, in-house casting capabilities, and a 4,000-ton die casting machine, the company has supplied tooling for major automotive programs, from engine blocks to body panels.

With decades of experience, EXCO has consistently aimed to exceed customer expectations through high-precision engineering solutions.

The Challenge of Inspecting Increasingly Complex Molds

As die-cast parts grew in size and complexity, traditional inspection methods—like coordinate measuring machines (CMMs)—began to show their limitations. The quality team faced difficulties inspecting deep cavities, areas near pins, and internal ribs, even with one of North America’s largest CMMs.

This posed a significant risk: overlooking machining errors or missing engineering changes could lead to mold failures and halt customer production.

Transitioning to 3D Scanning

Recognizing these challenges, EXCO Engineering integrated 3D scanning into their operations, choosing Creaform’s technology. While the transition initially met some resistance, the accuracy, portability, and versatility of the MetraSCAN 3D scanner quickly won over the team.

“With the CMM, it felt like we were viewing the molding area on an old black-and-white TV. Now, with Creaform’s scanning software and the MetraSCAN 3D in our daily activities, it’s like seeing the results in 4K—we can clearly see what’s happening,” said Jonathan Koot, Quality Systems Manager at EXCO Engineering.

Immediate Improvements in Quality and Efficiency

Implementing the MetraSCAN 3D allowed for direct scanning on the production floor, even inside CNC machines or on suspended parts. By capturing complete surface profiles, the generated color maps provide detailed analysis, facilitating error detection and swift decision-making.

Additionally, Creaform’s intuitive inspection software enables the generation of comprehensive visual reports in minutes, streamlining workflows and reducing inspection times by half for certain parts.

A Key Partner in Continuous Improvement

Beyond the technology, EXCO highlights Creaform’s customer support as a critical factor in their success. From immediate assistance to personalized on-site training, the user experience has been outstanding.

“They set the support standard so high that I forget what normal support is like,” Koot remarked.

Ensuring Quality from the Workshop

Through this collaboration, EXCO Engineering has eliminated critical errors before they reach the customer, ensuring parts meet the highest standards of quality and performance. Today, 3D scanning is not just an inspection tool but a cornerstone of their continuous improvement strategy.