The original grill models for the Ridgewing guitar were created using Pro-E CAD design software, and were first rendered by being precision machined out of bulk aluminum. The original grill models for the Ridgewing guitar were created using Pro-E CAD design software, and were first rendered by being precision machined out of bulk aluminum. The fine grillwork required some special machining technique. After one side of the piece was machined, the piece was imbedded in clay, turned over, and the other side machined.  The clay served to prevent “chatter” as the fine grillwork elements, in cross-section measuring just 1.5mm x 2.0mm, were machined. During subsequent engineering development, these aluminum grill “masters” were modified by hand to correct interferences and other issues while fitting it to a final body frame design. To capture and archive the final grill designs, including the hand-tool modifications, each grill was 3D scanned with an imaging digitizer.  This technology involves optically projecting a fine parallel line pattern onto the part, then taking a hi-res picture, then rotating the part by a precise amount, taking another picture, rotating it again, etc. The above image is a live screen image during the scanning process. The multiple scanned images were then processed to yield a complete 3D surface model of the grills in their final form, accurate to 10 microns or so throughout the entire scanning volume. Using this technology, a part of virtually any shape, machined or hand formed out of virtually any material, can be digitized to extremely high precision.  Once captured, this new digital model can be used to reproduce the part directly with high fidelity, be used to create a mold for the part for production manufacturing, or be imported into almost any CAD program for further direct modification.