Upholstery, a trade of tradition and patience, finds an ally in 3D technology to modernize. Scanning an old sofa allows for creating exact patterns without disassembling it, saving hours of work. With a 3D scanner and modeling software, the upholsterer can visualize the padding and fabric before cutting a single meter of material.
Digital modeling and precise cutting 🪡
The process begins with a scanner like the Einscan Pro 2X to capture the furniture's geometry. Then, programs such as Blender or Rhino 3D allow adjusting volumes and simulating fabric tension. The upholsterer exports the patterns to a cutting plotter (e.g., Summa S2) to obtain exact pieces, reducing material waste by up to 20%. Custom foams can also be designed with parametric modeling, ideal for complex curves or ergonomic seats.
The day the sofa asked for a scan 🛋️
Of course, nothing beats the upholsterer's eye that detects at a glance that the client lied about the sofa's dimensions. But the 3D scanner is not fooled: it shows you every last loose spring. Plus, now you can argue with the AI about whether the tufting should be in diamonds or hexagons, while it suggests that the blue velvet matches the cat. In the end, the client pays more for the digital model than for the fabric.