Mining Infrastructure - Solidworks Design

3D Engineering Scanning for Mining Infrastructure – From Existing Plant to SolidWorks Design Mining infrastructure projects often begin with imperfect information. Existing drawings may be old. Structures may have been modified during previous shutdowns. Conveyors may have been realigned. Platforms may have been extended. Chutes may have been repaired or replaced. Pipework, guards, supports and access systems may no longer match the original design documentation. For engineers working on brownfield mining projects, this creates a basic problem: How do you design accurately when you are not completely sure what is already there? One practical answer is 3D Engineering Scanning . By capturing existing mining infrastructure with engineering-grade terrestrial LiDAR, project teams can create detailed point clouds of the plant as it exists today. That spatial information can then support CAD modelling, SolidWorks design, reverse engineering, plant upgrades, clash checking, fabrication and shu...

  3D Laser Scanning and Digital Engineering for Coal Handling Plants Coal handling and preparation plants (CHPPs) are some of the most complex and congested industrial environments in the mining sector. Conveyors, transfer towers, chutes, pumps, structural steel, and access platforms are constantly being modified as plants expand and production requirements change. Over time, these modifications often mean the original engineering drawings no longer represent what is actually built on site . This creates significant challenges when engineers attempt to upgrade equipment, replace structures, or install new systems. For this reason, many mining operations are now turning to 3D laser scanning and digital engineering workflows to capture the real-world condition of their plant infrastructure before design work begins. Why Coal Handling Plants Need Accurate Site Data Coal handling facilities operate continuously and typically have very limited shutdown windows for upgrades or maintena...

  Pump Skid Design for Mining Plants Why Good Mechanical Design Matters In many mining and mineral processing plants, pump skids are one of the most common modular equipment packages used for fluid handling systems. They are typically used for: slurry transfer process water circulation chemical dosing systems mine dewatering fuel transfer systems thickener and tailings systems A pump skid integrates the pump, driver (motor or engine), piping, valves, instruments, and controls onto a single structural base frame so the system can be installed as a single module. This modular approach is widely used in mining infrastructure because it simplifies installation, improves maintenance access, and reduces construction time on site. What is a Pump Skid? A typical industrial pump skid consists of several integrated components mounted on a steel base frame: Pump (centrifugal, slurry, progressive cavity, etc.) Electric motor or diesel engine Structural baseplate Pipework and valves Pressure ...

  Reducing Shutdown Risk Using Digital Engineering Models Mining shutdowns are some of the most demanding operational events in industrial facilities. During a shutdown window, maintenance, equipment upgrades, and infrastructure modifications must all be completed within a tightly controlled timeframe. For engineers involved in mining infrastructure and plant upgrades , the biggest challenge is often uncertainty about the existing plant layout . In many older facilities, plant drawings may not fully reflect the current configuration of equipment, pipework, conveyors, and structures. Over years of maintenance work, installations evolve, and documentation may fall out of date. This is where digital engineering models and modern scanning technologies are transforming shutdown planning. Capturing Existing Infrastructure Before Shutdown Before engineers begin designing modifications or equipment replacements, it is important to understand the true existing condition of the plant . Many...

  Engineering Support for Mining Infrastructure in Biloela, Queensland Using Point Clouds and SolidWorks Models to Upgrade Existing Plants Central Queensland is one of Australia’s most active resource regions, and the town of Biloela sits at the centre of this industrial landscape. The region supports major mining and energy operations, including the Callide coal mine , located about 20 km northeast of Biloela, which has been a major employer and contributor to the local economy for decades. With mining, energy generation, and industrial infrastructure operating continuously across the region, engineers and maintenance teams are regularly faced with a familiar challenge: How do you upgrade plant infrastructure that has been operating for decades without accurate design records? This is where modern engineering tools such as 3D laser scanning, point cloud modelling, and SolidWorks design workflows have become essential. The Engineering Challenge in Mature Mining Regions Mining infr...

  Building Momentum on Mining Infrastructure Projects with 3D Scanning & SolidWorks Design Mining infrastructure projects don’t fail because of ambition. They stall because of uncertainty. Unclear existing conditions. Outdated drawings. Field changes not captured. Fabrication built to the wrong revision. Engineering decisions made on incomplete data. If you want to build real momentum on a mining project — whether it’s a chute replacement, conveyor upgrade, pump skid, structural modification, or brownfield plant expansion — the first step isn’t modelling. It’s truth. At Hamilton By Design , we help mining operations build momentum from day one using engineering-grade 3D scanning and SolidWorks-based mechanical design workflows. Below is how that momentum is created — and how it connects across our broader engineering services. Step 1: Capture Reality – Engineering-Grade 3D Laser Scanning Before SolidWorks modelling begins, we establish the true geometry of your site. Using LiDA...