# Enhancing Furniture Manufacturing with 3D Scanning
## 5 Discussion  
The first analyzed case study discusses using 3D scanning to digitalize initial concept designs created by designers or architects. Hand-created designs are scanned into STL 3D models for manufacturing. An example is the 3D scanning of a lounge chair prototype. The designer then modified the design using hand tools, but it did not match the existing CAD models, requiring new scanning and CAD model creation. This iterative approach allowed the development of a piece of furniture of high-quality design. Three-dimensional scanning digitalizes the initial concept designs created by the product designer. Physical models can be converted to 3D digital CAD models, which can then be analyzed, modified, and stored [29]. This technology is becoming essential for producers who require accurate dimensional inspection, virtual imaging, analysis, and even physical prototype manufacturing in the early design stage [5,11]. Three-dimensional scanning is used in various industries, such as the automotive, healthcare, architecture, and furniture industries [5]. It enables the reverse engineering of complex curved surfaces [30,31] and the preparation of production systems [32]. Additionally, 3D scanning is used in the industry to develop business attire patterns by integrating 3D customer data obtained through the scanning process [33]. Three-dimensional scanning is used to digitalize furniture parts when there is a lack of technical documentation [34]. This scanning application is presented in the second case study. The use of 3D scanners also allows the analysis of deviations in model surfaces, dimensional deviations, and geometric tolerances [20] (second and third case study). This information helps to maintain production quality by controlling geometry errors in the production process [3]. Smart factories can enhance quality and gain a competitive advantage using 3D metrological data [35]. The fourth analyzed case study enables us to obtain geometric documentation of objects within history and the arts, allowing conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage [36]. The application of 3D digital technologies in the conservation of cultural heritage has proven to help improve the collection, storage, and consultation of information and data related to diagnostic and restoration work [36]. Therefore, 3D scanning can be utilized to document furniture parts digitally and aid in their preservation and restoration, even in the absence of technical documentation. From the literature review and the four case studies presented, it can be concluded that 3D scanning and reverse engineering have become integral parts of today's industry in cases where new product development and design are needed. It is used in almost all  
Figure 19: Three-dimensional scanning of the Austro-Hungarian old-style table support, including scanned data (**left**); the full 3D model (**right**). development, design, manufacturing, and quality control aspects [6]. In the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is used extensively in the furniture industry, especially for reverse engineering and design and development of new products. Also, in the case of the old-style table support, it can be seen how reverse engineering, together with 3D scanning and 3D printing, can bring significant improvement to old manufacturing processes. Three-dimensional digitization in the furniture industry can be applied in various domains. 1. The designer often assembles the initial full-scale prototypes of designed furniture items manually. To replicate these prototypes in large-scale or series production using traditional manufacturing methods such as CNC machining, engineers must create a 3D CAD model. When generating 3D CAD models from physical objects, 3D digitization offers the most time-efficient and dimensionally accurate solution. Case study No. 1 showcases a practical application of this technology. 2. The primary area of utilization of 3D digitization in furniture production is metrology, which is used to verify the dimensional precision of fabricated components.