Moving a multi-ton marine propeller just to measure it adds time, labor, and handling risk before repair work can continue. METALNOX addressed that bottleneck by bringing a portable metrology 3D scanner to the propeller. According to a case study published by Shining 3D, the resulting workflow reduced propeller repair time by 20% while giving the team a more complete view of blade geometry.
This article is based on a case study originally published by Shining 3D. Afinia 3D is an authorized reseller and solutions provider for Shining 3D scanners.
METALNOX and the demands of marine propeller repair
Founded in 1987, METALNOX operates certified workshops in Mallorca, Spain. The company overhauls and repairs propellers for commercial shipping, naval vessels, and luxury yachts. Shining 3D reports that METALNOX is the only company in the Mediterranean approved by ABS as an Approved Tailshaft Repair Facility.
Propeller repair depends on restoring the component to its intended geometry. That requires reliable measurement across broad, curved blade surfaces—not only isolated points. Shining 3D notes that blade deviations as small as 0.1 mm can affect hydrodynamic performance, making data coverage as important as nominal scanner accuracy.
Propeller repair combines skilled metalwork with dimensional verification.
The challenge: limited measurements and difficult handling
Before adopting 3D scanning, METALNOX relied on conventional point-by-point measurement methods. Those checks captured selected locations rather than the propeller’s complete three-dimensional shape. The gaps made gradual changes, including thickness reduction, more difficult to identify.
The measurement process also created a physical workflow problem:
- Some propellers weighed several tons and exceeded two meters in diameter.
- Parts had to be moved from the repair table to a separate measuring table.
- Each move required overhead cranes, rigging, and multiple employees.
- Repeated handling consumed production time and introduced additional damage risk.
For a workshop managing multiple repair jobs, measurement was not simply an inspection task. It was a material-handling event that could become a recurring bottleneck.
Why METALNOX selected the FreeScan Combo
After evaluating multiple options, METALNOX selected the Shining 3D FreeScan Combo Series based on three practical requirements: compatibility, accuracy, and portability.
- Workflow compatibility: The scanner integrated with the analysis software the team already used, limiting disruption and avoiding a forced migration of historical data.
- Metrology-grade measurement: In blue-laser mode, the FreeScan Combo provides accuracy up to 0.02 mm.
- Portable operation: The handheld scanner could be taken directly to a propeller on the repair table.
The last requirement was decisive. Instead of designing the inspection process around a fixed measuring station, METALNOX could design it around the actual part and repair sequence.
Scanning the propeller in place
METALNOX now brings the FreeScan Combo to the repair table and captures the propeller without relocating the component to a dedicated measuring table. This allows the team to evaluate large fixed-pitch and variable-pitch propellers while reducing disassembly and handling requirements.
The resulting digital record covers the full volume of the part rather than only the radii established for the ISO 484 standard. That broader surface data gives the team more context for assessing condition and guiding repair work.
The scanner’s portability does not eliminate the need for a controlled metrology process. Teams still need a defined inspection objective, stable part conditions, appropriate alignment, qualified operators, and a validated method for interpreting scan data. The business value comes from combining those controls with dense 3D measurement at the point of work.
Results: 20% less propeller repair time
Shining 3D reports that the revised workflow reduced propeller repair time by 20%. The improvement came from more than faster data capture. METALNOX reduced crane moves, rigging, personnel coordination, component handling, and the need for separate analog templates and tools.
The company also gained a more complete basis for analysis. Teams could assess the entire part, work on larger propellers, and perform measurements without removing components from the repair table.
“Much faster and more accurate assessments without having to disassemble components.”
Gastón Dubois, Production Manager, Grupo METALNOX
Dubois connected that improvement to time and cost savings for both METALNOX and its customers.
What professional scanning buyers should take from this application
This case is relevant beyond marine repair. Laboratories, manufacturers, maintenance teams, and engineering programs often focus first on a scanner’s accuracy specification. METALNOX demonstrates that the larger productivity gain may come from changing where and how measurement happens.
When evaluating a metrology 3D scanner, ask:
- Can the scanner measure the part where it already sits?
- Will it cover the required surface area and geometric detail?
- Does it fit the organization’s existing inspection and analysis software?
- What rigging, fixtures, templates, or disassembly steps could it remove?
- Can the team validate the complete workflow against its tolerances and standards?
A technically capable scanner is only part of the solution. The strongest business case connects measurement performance to fewer handling steps, better data coverage, and faster decisions.