How SHINING 3D Supports Vulcan Alpha in Engineering Motorsport Performance at the Nürburgring

This case study explores how Vulcan Alpha leverages SHINING 3D technology to accelerate product development, ensure OEM-level accuracy, and enhance complex motorsport engineering workflows.

At the Nürburgring, engineering mistakes are measured in milliseconds and millimeters. The teams that succeed are those that innovate faster, capture data more accurately, and transform ideas into track-ready components with uncompromising precision.

To meet the relentless demands of motorsport development, Vulcan Alpha, a performance engineering company led by Misha Charoudin, relies on SHINING 3D scanning technology to deliver the speed, precision, and data integrity required for high-level automotive performance.

About Vulcan Alpha: Engineering for Supercars, Hypercars, and Motorsport

Vulcan Alpha specializes in:

Engineering and prototyping
Custom manufacturing
Performance-enhancing vehicle modifications
Bespoke motorsport applications

Their core mission is to develop components that fit flawlessly—without drilling, cutting, or compromising the OEM structure. Achieving this level of precision requires highly accurate data capture.

“For us, it is very important to use SHINING 3D products to make sure the parts we create match the actual model of the car ”

— Misha Charoudin, CEO & Co-Founder of Vulcan Alpha

The Evolution of Scanning at Vulcan Alpha: From EINSTAR to FreeScan Trak Nova

Lapo, the Co-Founder of Vulcan Alpha, began his scanning journey nearly 20 years ago with manual measurement. The adoption of SHINING 3D technology marked a major step forward in their workflow.

Stage 1: EINSTAR – “A really good E36”

Reliable
Easy to use
Suitable for most general scanning tasks

Stage 2: FreeScan Combo – “A GT3 RS of scanning tools”

Added laser capability
Higher accuracy
Ideal for motorsport-grade engineering tasks

Chassis scanning by FreeScan Combo

Stage 3: FreeScan Trak Nova— “The LMP3 of 3D scanners”

Ultra-fast scanning with minimal setup
Large field of view for scanning full vehicles
Wireless tracking system

Benefits for Vulcan Alpha

Full-Car Scans for CFD Simulations

The large tracking field of view allows the team to capture an entire vehicle in a short time, producing highly accurate geometry for CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations.

Previously, engineers needed to stitch multiple panels together manually. The scanner now delivers near-perfect alignment automatically, improving accuracy while reducing processing time.

No limits inChallenging Conditions

Track cars often leak fluids and have complex surfaces where markers cannot be placed. FreeScan Trak Nova enables marker-free tracking on difficult surfaces, allowing scans to be completed even in challenging conditions.

FreeScan Trak Nova marker-free scanning

Strengthening Trust with OEM Clients

SHINING 3D products are also used by OEMs. When Vulcan Alpha informs their OEM clients that they use SHINING 3D technology, it strengthens client trust and confidence in the company, supporting the growth of their business.

From day one, SHINING 3D has served as a technical partner to Vulcan Alpha. As the company enters its second year, the collaboration continues to move forward.

“We look forward to creating many more exciting automotive products—thanks to SHINING 3D”, said Misha Charoudin.