Top of the page

Traditional longbow craftsmanship meets innovation

Manufacturing traditional craftsmanship with the EinScan HX

It will have a positive effect on the accessibility of a product when traditional and digital production techniques are combined.


The traditional production of an English longbow is a very slow and labor-intensive process. It happens often that someone ends up on a waiting list for years to be able to get hold of a traditionally made longbow. 


The components of a longbow have to be very strong and reliable because they are continuously heavily loads during use. In addition, complex geometries are required to produce a comfortable handle. 


The solution, found by “de Wit 3D Engineering” for Simons Bow Company, combines traditional manufacturing techniques with 3D scanning and CNC milling to achieve the highest possible quality while also speeding up the production process. 


To achieve this, De Wit 3D Engineering started digitizing and “reverse engineering” English longbows. 

Longbow grip scanned

A traditionally carved handle

The Simons Bow Company has approached de Wit 3D Engineering to create 3D models of traditionally manufactured bows. Using the extracted mesh 3D models from Geomagic, making it possible to produce the handle of the bow using CNC milling. This new approach also makes it possible to adapt the digital models to remodel for example competition longbows. 
EinScan HX

Q&A with Anton from de Wit 3D Engineering

What is the purpose of 3D scanner?

It is mainly used for reverse engineering, mostly automotive and mechanical parts. De Wit Engineering provides Business to Business service, the invite is to get in touch to discover how reverse engineering can be applied for your manufacturing process.

How did you work before you used the EinScan HX?

The company is based on 3D scanning and reverse engineering, with expertise in 3D scanning since the beginning. It annoverates multiple projects in a variety of industries. Before the EinScan HX the company has been involved in 3D scanning, now, with the combination of laser 3D scanning and structured light, that only the HX can provide in its category, it is finally possible to achieve high accuracy also in metal working.

How much have you saved since implementing 3D scanning?

Comparing 3D scanning 5 years ago versus now, the process is easily 60 procent faster.
With the introduction of the latest EinScan technology, it is easy to save another 50 procent working time on top of that 60 procent. This is possible due to automatic alignments and new tracking systems, within the same 3D scanning environment.

Have there been any other changes?

Yes, it happened naturally, to improve the workflow. A straightforward example is the use of black fabric as tracking reference. It is a portable, easy to setup solution that allows to digitize large items in the most various environment. This happenes with laser 3D scanning technology and achieve a resolution of 0.2 mm.  

How did MakerPoint help you?

Makerpoint has been helpful in different stages of the adoption. At first MakerPoint has been able to provide the technology. The company has shown support by 3D scanning for our clients, when the previous 3D scanner needed maintenance. MakerPoint shows interest after sale supporting projects with troubleshooting, brainstorming and handling 3D scanned data. 
Longbow result
Luca Sabbatini

Traditional longbow craftsmanship meets innovation

Manufacturing traditional craftsmanship with the EinScan HX

It will have a positive effect on the accessibility of a product when traditional and digital production techniques are combined.


The traditional production of an English longbow is a very slow and labor-intensive process. It happens often that someone ends up on a waiting list for years to be able to get hold of a traditionally made longbow. 


The components of a longbow have to be very strong and reliable because they are continuously heavily loads during use. In addition, complex geometries are required to produce a comfortable handle. 


The solution, found by “de Wit 3D Engineering” for Simons Bow Company, combines traditional manufacturing techniques with 3D scanning and CNC milling to achieve the highest possible quality while also speeding up the production process. 


To achieve this, De Wit 3D Engineering started digitizing and “reverse engineering” English longbows. 

Longbow grip scanned

A traditionally carved handle

The Simons Bow Company has approached de Wit 3D Engineering to create 3D models of traditionally manufactured bows. Using the extracted mesh 3D models from Geomagic, making it possible to produce the handle of the bow using CNC milling. This new approach also makes it possible to adapt the digital models to remodel for example competition longbows. 
EinScan HX

Q&A with Anton from de Wit 3D Engineering

What is the purpose of 3D scanner?

It is mainly used for reverse engineering, mostly automotive and mechanical parts. De Wit Engineering provides Business to Business service, the invite is to get in touch to discover how reverse engineering can be applied for your manufacturing process.

How did you work before you used the EinScan HX?

The company is based on 3D scanning and reverse engineering, with expertise in 3D scanning since the beginning. It annoverates multiple projects in a variety of industries. Before the EinScan HX the company has been involved in 3D scanning, now, with the combination of laser 3D scanning and structured light, that only the HX can provide in its category, it is finally possible to achieve high accuracy also in metal working.

How much have you saved since implementing 3D scanning?

Comparing 3D scanning 5 years ago versus now, the process is easily 60 procent faster.
With the introduction of the latest EinScan technology, it is easy to save another 50 procent working time on top of that 60 procent. This is possible due to automatic alignments and new tracking systems, within the same 3D scanning environment.

Have there been any other changes?

Yes, it happened naturally, to improve the workflow. A straightforward example is the use of black fabric as tracking reference. It is a portable, easy to setup solution that allows to digitize large items in the most various environment. This happenes with laser 3D scanning technology and achieve a resolution of 0.2 mm.  

How did MakerPoint help you?

Makerpoint has been helpful in different stages of the adoption. At first MakerPoint has been able to provide the technology. The company has shown support by 3D scanning for our clients, when the previous 3D scanner needed maintenance. MakerPoint shows interest after sale supporting projects with troubleshooting, brainstorming and handling 3D scanned data. 
Longbow result
Luca Sabbatini