Friday, January 30, 2026

How 3D Scanning Is Transforming Mining Infrastructure Design in SolidWorks

 Mining infrastructure is rarely simple. Conveyor systems, chutes, hoppers, transfer stations, platforms, and structural steel are often installed over decades — modified repeatedly and rarely documented accurately. For engineers working in SolidWorks, poor as-built information has long been a major source of risk.

This is where engineering-led 3D laser scanning is reshaping how mining infrastructure is designed, verified, and upgraded.

At Hamilton By Design, 3D scanning is used as the foundation for SolidWorks-based mechanical and structural design, ensuring models reflect real site conditions — not assumptions.




Accurate As-Built Data for Mining Environments

Mining sites present unique challenges:

  • tight shutdown windows

  • live plant constraints

  • legacy infrastructure with missing drawings

  • high consequence of clashes or misalignment

Hamilton By Design uses high-accuracy 3D laser scanning to capture true as-built geometry, providing engineers with reliable data before design begins.

👉 Learn more about engineering-led 3D scanning services:
https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/home/engineering-services/3d-scanning-sydney/


From Point Cloud to SolidWorks Design

Once site data is captured, point clouds are processed and interpreted by engineers — not just converted into geometry. This allows SolidWorks models to be built with:

  • correct interfaces

  • realistic tolerances

  • verified equipment locations

  • confidence in fit-up and constructability

This workflow is especially valuable for mining infrastructure upgrades and brownfield modifications, where accuracy directly affects fabrication and installation success.

👉 Explore Hamilton By Design’s broader engineering workflow:
https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/home/engineering-services/


Supporting Conveyor Systems, Chutes & Transfer Stations

Conveyors, chutes, and transfer stations are central to mining operations — and also among the most failure-prone assets when poorly designed or modified.

By combining 3D scanning with SolidWorks modelling, Hamilton By Design helps engineers:

  • redesign transfer points

  • optimise chute geometry

  • verify clearances and maintenance access

  • reduce wear, spillage, and downtime

👉 See bulk material handling and conveyor engineering capability:
https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/bulk-material-handling-mining-rom-conveyors/

👉 Learn more about chute and transfer design in mining:
https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/chute-design-for-mining/


SolidWorks Design for Fabrication & Installation

Mining infrastructure designs often progress straight from SolidWorks into fabrication. If site data is wrong, steel and mechanical assemblies won’t fit — leading to rework and delays.

Hamilton By Design’s approach ensures SolidWorks models are:

  • built from verified as-built conditions

  • coordinated across mechanical and structural elements

  • suitable for fabrication detailing and installation

👉 Learn about mechanical engineering and design support:
https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/mechanical-engineering/


Engineering Support Across Mining Regions

Mining projects rarely sit in metropolitan centres. Hamilton By Design supports mining infrastructure projects across Australia, delivering scanning, SolidWorks design, and engineering support where accuracy matters most.

👉 Explore engineering support for mining and industrial projects nationwide:
https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/home/engineering-across-australia/




Final Thoughts

For mining infrastructure, 3D scanning is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s a risk-reduction tool. When combined with SolidWorks and led by experienced engineers, scanning enables safer upgrades, faster fabrication, and fewer surprises on site.

By grounding SolidWorks design in real-world geometry, Hamilton By Design helps mining operators, engineers, and fabricators deliver infrastructure that fits, functions, and performs as intended.



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