Centurion Performance & Engines is an Illinois-based manufacturer of custom performance engines and parts. It is also a custom tuning and install body shop in high demand. Established in 2009, the company has an R&D department with advanced tools, such as a machining center with a SolidWorks station. Further, many components and ideas tested here are subsequently integrated into other builds, driving continuous improvement, and innovation for customers.
The Challenge: Hand Fabrication Makes Production Scalability Difficult
Centurion Performance & Engines prides itself on making superior-quality products for its discerning clientele. However, the increasing demand and complexity of components forced the Centurion team to realize that manual processes were no longer sufficient for fabrication experts. The conventional processes hindered consistent fabrication and assembly, particularly with organic surface integration and designing power systems for engine compartments.
Transitioning from prototype to production was tough because it was hard to visualize the full system, like the engine bay, without a digital model. This led to a lot of back-and-forth between teams and longer lead times.
Many innovative projects were stuck in the conceptual stage due to high manual development costs and time constraints. Centurion Performance & Engines aimed to find better solutions for accurate prototype parts.
“Having seen 3D scanning technologies in action, it became very and immediately clear this was a direction we needed to go,” explained Tim Slater, the company’s President.
The Solution: HandySCAN BLACK Elite and VXmodel Outperform in Terms of 3D Scanning Accuracy and Post-
processing Speed
Slater tested multiple 3D measurement products and found the raw 3D scans combined with Creaform’s VXmodel software were impressive for their speed, high-quality renderings, ease of scanning, and brilliant software.
“After much difficulty in post-processing scans, which led to inaccuracies in the data, and realizing how much time and effort was spent manipulating the scan so that I could complete a post-process to satisfaction, I decided to try the metrology-grade HandySCAN BLACK Elite,” he said. “It was a decision that came after a year and a half of frustration and lack of acceptable results.”
Creaform’s technology transformed Centurion Performance & Engines’ time to market and production capacity. Using the HandySCAN BLACK Elite, teams could quickly and accurately scan components and existing engine compartments, allowing for precise design and integration of new power systems that met customers’ exacting standards. The ability to quickly create and test prototypes significantly reduced development time.
The Results: Greater Production Output and New Market Opportunities
Implementing HandySCAN BLACK Elite and VXmodel generated impactful business benefits for Centurion Performance & Engines. Slater highlighted how digital visualization before fabrication saved time and energy, allowing accurate production and sales multiples with high-quality scanning and excellent tooling.
“…the ability to visualize and fit components digitally before fabrication saved a tremendous amount of time and energy. The ROI comes from the ability to produce and sell multiples of a part—with unbeatable accuracy—thanks to extremely high-quality scanning that results in excellent tooling.”
He emphasized the importance of counting on a 3D scanning solution with a powerful and integrated post-processing software module. “The capabilities of VXmodel are far and above others I have used. I see all sorts of pretty scans people make with inexpensive handheld scanners. Nevertheless, the ability to pull accurate and consistent data off of the scan is where VXmodel shines. Its surfacing tools and the ability to send the files and scans directly into SolidWorks is nothing short of phenomenal.”
Creaform’s 3D scanner and scan-to-CAD software also created additional market opportunities for his business, enabling new services and product applications previously unattainable.
“Since we bought HandySCAN BLACK Elite and VXmodel, we’ve been off to the races,” Slater concluded. “I have the confidence in the 3Dscanner, data and software to tackle any development or prototype project!
Looking for 3D measurement solution?
TWA 3D present to provide convenience and the quickest solution in the manufacture of prototype and reverse engineering, inspection & portable CMM, empowering our customer to create with confidence.
