Digital tools: 3D scanning and CNC in stucco work
New technology meets old craftsmanship
Plastering is one of the oldest crafts in building, but increasingly uses modern technology to document, measure and recreate details. Digital tools do not replace craftsmanship, but they can make some tasks faster and more precise.
§3D scanning for measurement and documentation
A 3D scanner can create a precise digital copy of a profile or an entire facade. This gives you an accurate digital starting point to work from, and the scan can be saved as documentation if the original is later damaged or disappears entirely.
§From scanning to form
Data from 3D scanning can be used directly to mill a form with a CNC machine. This makes it possible to recreate a complex profile very precisely, even if the original only exists in fragments, or if it is difficult to access for direct work.
§When does it make sense
| Assignment | Traditional method | Digital supplement |
|---|---|---|
| Simple known molding profile | Template cut by hand | Rarely necessary |
| Complex unique ornament, only fragment remaining | Freeform shaping from photo and judgment | 3D scan of fragment + CNC milled mould |
| Documentation of protected building before work | Measurement with folding rule and sketch | 3D scanning as digital archive |
§The future of the trade
As long as Denmark has buildings with stucco, there will be a need for hand craftsmanship. But digital tools are becoming an increasingly common part of the workflow, especially in large restoration projects where documentation and precision are important.
“The machine can repeat a movement perfectly. But it is the precision mechanic who knows if the movement was the right one.”