In mechanical engineering the modern development of information technologies in mechanical engineering provides new opportunities and an alternative to existing approaches in designing technological processes for manufacturing or restoring parts. Thanks to modern technologies and state-of-the-art equipment development, mechanical engineering has received such a powerful tool as reverse engineering. The ability to create 3D models of products using manual computer-aided design methods or 3D scanning, followed by exporting them to computer-aided manufacturing systems and employing either traditional subtractive manufacturing (based on Computer Numerical Control machining) or additive manufacturing (3D printing), simplifies the technological design and production process of a part significantly. Drawing on their extensive scientific and practical experience in mechanical engineering technology and repair and restoration work, the authors aim to generalize and assess new possibilities for reverse engineering of parts using additive 3D printing methods. The study analyzes practical experience in reverse engineering and, through systematization, proposes a method for technological production preparation that enhances quality and reduces the labor intensity of 3D printing. As a practical implementation, the authors propose an approach to reverse engineering parts by creating an exact replica of an existing sample using extrusion-based 3D printing with structural thermoplastics.