How a Metrology Laser 3D Scanner Helped METALNOX Cut Propeller Repair Time by 20%

A Spanish propeller repair shop cut scanning time by nearly 20% and reduced logistical headaches by switching to a portable 3D scanner. See how the FreeScan Combo helped METALNOX inspect large propellers in place — without moving heavy parts to a measuring table.

METALNOX was founded in 1987 and has built its reputation on innovation and continuous improvement. Its workshops in Mallorca are fully certified and equipped to deliver excellence on every project.

The company specializes in propeller overhaul and repair — a task that demands high precision and tight tolerances. It is the only company in the Mediterranean approved by ABS as an Approved Tailshaft Repair Facility. This certification is not easily earned; it reflects decades of rigorous quality management and technical expertise that few competitors can match.

For over three decades, METALNOX has served a demanding clientele that includes commercial shipping lines, naval vessels, and luxury yachts. Each customer expects the same outcome: a propeller restored to original specifications, with no compromise on safety or performance. Meeting these expectations requires not only skilled craftsmanship but also the right measurement tools. And for years, the tools available to the industry fell short of what METALNOX truly needed.

Challenges of Traditional Methods

Before adopting 3D scanning technology, METALNOX relied on conventional measurement techniques that had changed little over the years. The process was time‑consuming, labor‑intensive, and inherently limited in scope. Inspecting a propeller meant checking only a handful of specific points — not the full three‑dimensional shape. This point‑by‑point approach left significant gaps in the data, and critical issues like gradual thickness reduction often went completely unnoticed until problems manifested during operation.

The limitations of traditional methods extended beyond measurement accuracy. Logistics added another layer of difficulty. Large propellers — some weighing several tons and spanning over two meters in diameter — had to be moved from the repair table to a separate measuring table. This required overhead cranes, careful rigging, and multiple personnel. Each movement introduced the risk of accidental damage and consumed valuable time that could have been spent on actual repair work. For a busy workshop juggling multiple projects, these repeated handling steps created a persistent bottleneck that slowed down every job.

Customers demanded greater precision and tighter tolerances with each passing year. As vessels become more sophisticated and fuel efficiency standards grow stricter, the allowable margin for error in propeller geometry continues to shrink. METALNOX recognized that its existing workflow could not keep pace with these rising expectations. The company needed to improve its propeller overhaul and repair processes — not incrementally, but fundamentally.

Faster, More Complete, and Less Disruptive Solution

The turning point came when METALNOX discovered SHINING 3D.

After evaluating several options, the team chose the FreeScan Combo Series — a decision driven by three key factors: compatibility, accuracy, and portability.

The FreeScan Combo Series integrates seamlessly with the analysis software METALNOX already used daily. This meant no costly retraining, no disruption to established workflows, and no need to migrate years of historical data to a new platform. The scanner delivers accuracy up to 0.02 mm — a level of precision that captures details almost impossible to detect with traditional tools. For propeller repair, where blade surface deviations as small as 0.1 mm can affect hydrodynamic performance, this level of accuracy is transformative.

But what truly set the FreeScan Combo Series apart was its portability.

Unlike bulky fixed‑mount systems, it is a handheld device that can be carried directly to the worksite. The team no longer needs to move heavy propellers to a measuring table. Instead, scans are performed right where the parts sit on the repair table — eliminating the logistical nightmare that had plagued the workshop for years.

Measurable Results: Time Savings and Better Accuracy

With the FreeScan Combo Series, METALNOX can now inspect and repair larger propellers — both fixed and variable pitch — that previously took much more time and effort with analog methods, requiring additional elements such as templates and tools.

Including a 3D scanner as a work tool has improved the services METALNOX provides to its clients. The team can now perform assessments in a short time without disassembling components. At the same time, the scanner has improved the quality of propeller analysis, because they can examine the entire volume of the part — not just the radii established for the ISO 484 standard.

This portable metrology‑grade 3D scanner is not merely a measurement device — it is an enabler of better customer outcomes. By reducing turnaround times and improving measurement accuracy, METALNOX has strengthened its competitive position in a demanding market.

Gastón Dubois, Production Manager at Grupo METALNOX, explains:

"For us, one of the biggest benefits we've seen is the ability to offer our clients improved quality and speed of service. We can perform much faster and more accurate assessments without having to disassemble components or move them from the repair table to the measuring table, which represents a saving of time and costs for both them and us."

A Smarter Path to Propeller Maintenance

The FreeScan Combo Series from SHINING 3D enables workshops like METALNOX to achieve faster, more accurate propeller inspections without the logistical burden of moving heavy parts. Its portability, 0.02 mm accuracy, and seamless integration with existing analysis software make it a practical solution for naval maintenance operations where time and precision directly impact the bottom line.

Beyond individual success stories like METALNOX, SHINING 3D is committed to equipping the broader marine and industrial maintenance sectors with metrology‑grade 3D scanning solutions that replace outdated, labor‑intensive methods. By making high‑precision inspection portable, affordable, and easy to integrate into existing workflows, SHINING 3D helps shipyards, propeller repair shops, and component manufacturers reduce downtime, cut operational costs, and elevate quality standards. As the industry moves toward fully digital quality control, SHINING 3D’s portfolio — from handheld scanners to automated inspection systems — provides the foundational technology to turn that vision into reality.

How a Metrology Laser 3D Scanner Helped METALNOX Cut Propeller Repair Time by 20%

Challenges of Traditional Methods

Faster, More Complete, and Less Disruptive Solution

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Measurable Results: Time Savings and Better Accuracy

A Smarter Path to Propeller Maintenance

FreeScan Combo Series