Spirit of Australia 2 Laser Scanning
Updated: Aug 28
Scan Hub is proud to support the development of Spirit of Australia 2, the latest attempt to set a new outright Unlimited World Water Speed Record. Building on the legacy of Ken Warby's record-breaking Spirit of Australia, the project called for highly accurate 3D laser scanning and 3D modelling to assist with the development and optimisation of the new vessel.
This is one of the most demanding applications of 3D laser scanning we take on, where accuracy is measured against a machine designed to travel at extreme speed across water. This is how the hull was captured, why precision matters at these speeds, and how the resulting 3D model supports the engineering behind a world record attempt.
When Millimetres Decide Performance
At speeds approaching 350 mph, even the smallest variation in the hull or tail fin can significantly affect performance and stability. A craft travelling that fast across water is operating at the very edge of what is physically possible, and the shape of every surface matters. A tiny deviation that would be irrelevant on most projects can change how the vessel behaves at record speed.
That makes accurate dimensional information essential. To support engineering analysis and ongoing design improvements, the team needed a precise, reliable record of the actual craft, not an approximation. This is exactly the kind of high-consequence, high-performance engineering where 3D laser scanning is the only practical way to capture a complex, curved form with the required accuracy.
Our Approach
Using high-accuracy 3D laser scanning technology, Scan Hub captured the complete hull to millimetre precision, then created an accurate 3D model of the vessel. The hull of a craft like this is all flowing, aerodynamic and hydrodynamic curves, the kind of organic geometry that cannot be measured any other way, and scanning records every surface faithfully.
The project ran like this:
1. Planning: we confirmed the surfaces and detail required and how the data would feed into engineering analysis and design work.
2. High-accuracy capture: we scanned the complete hull to millimetre precision, capturing the full aerodynamic and hydrodynamic form.
3. Processing: the scan data was registered into an accurate representation of the vessel.
4. Modelling: the data was converted into an accurate 3D model for the engineering team.
5. Delivery: the model was provided so engineers could inspect dimensions, analyse variations and evaluate design changes.
What the Model Enables
The digital model gives the engineering team a precise, reliable basis for their work. It enables engineers to inspect critical dimensions, analyse variations and confidently evaluate design modifications, all against a true record of the actual craft. When you are chasing a world record, being able to test a proposed change against accurate geometry before committing to it is a significant advantage.
The value extends beyond the current build. The data can also support future development, simulation, and accurate scale reproduction, giving the project a lasting digital reference for the vessel as design work continues.
Beyond Construction and Infrastructure
This project shows how 3D laser scanning and 3D modelling support advanced engineering applications well beyond traditional construction and infrastructure. The same accuracy that lets a beam fit an existing building, or a pump be re-manufactured, lets a record-attempt engineering team refine a craft designed to travel at extreme speed. By delivering reliable existing-condition information, Scan Hub helps engineering teams make informed design decisions while reducing project risk, whatever the application.
What This Kind of Data Enables
High-accuracy 3D data of a complex, performance-critical form supports a range of advanced engineering work, including:
● Inspecting critical dimensions against a true record of the actual craft
● Analysing variations in the hull and control surfaces
● Evaluating and testing design modifications with confidence
● Supporting simulation and engineering analysis
● Enabling accurate scale reproduction and future development
● Reducing project risk in high-performance, high-consequence engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spirit of Australia 2?
It is the latest attempt to set a new outright Unlimited World Water Speed Record, building on the legacy of Ken Warby's unbroken record-breaking Spirit of Australia in 1978. Scan Hub is proud to support its development with 3D laser scanning and modelling.
Why does a record craft need 3D laser scanning?
At speeds approaching 350 mph, even the smallest variation in the hull or tail fin can significantly affect performance and stability. Accurate dimensional data is essential for engineering analysis and design improvement, and scanning is the only practical way to capture the form precisely.
How accurate was the scan?
Scan Hub captured the complete hull to millimetre precision using high-accuracy 3D laser scanning technology, then produced an accurate 3D model from that data.
What can the engineering team do with the model?
The model lets engineers inspect critical dimensions, analyse variations and confidently evaluate design modifications against a true record of the actual craft.
Can the data be used for simulation?
Yes. The data can support future development, simulation, and accurate scale reproduction, giving the project a lasting digital reference for the vessel.
Why not measure the hull by hand?
The hull has flowing aerodynamic and hydrodynamic curves that cannot be measured accurately by hand. Laser scanning faithfully records the entire surface, which is essential at these speeds.
Does Scan Hub work outside construction and infrastructure?
Yes. This project shows how our scanning and modelling support advanced engineering applications well beyond construction, including high-performance and specialised engineering.
What deliverables were produced?
A high-accuracy capture of the complete hull and an accurate 3D model that the engineering team can use for inspection, analysis and design evaluation.
Can you scan other complex or curved objects?
Yes. Scanning is ideally suited to complex, curved and organic forms that traditional measurement cannot capture accurately, across many types of engineering projects.
Do you provide these services Australia-wide?
Yes. Scan Hub provides 3D laser scanning and 3D modelling for engineering clients across Australia, including specialised and advanced engineering projects.
Talk to Scan Hub About Your Project
From world record attempts to industrial plants, accurate 3D data helps engineering teams make confident, informed decisions. If you have a complex or performance-critical form that needs capturing precisely, Scan Hub has the technology and experience to do it. Contact us to discuss your project and get a fixed-price quote.