Mining Infrastructure - Solidworks Design

  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 Over years of maintenance work, installations evolve, and documentation may fall out of date.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...

  Accuracy of LiDAR Scanning for Mining Infrastructure and SolidWorks Engineering Design Mining and heavy industrial facilities are constantly evolving. Equipment is upgraded, conveyors are extended, structural platforms are modified, and new processing systems are integrated into existing plants. One of the biggest challenges engineers face in these environments is working with incomplete or outdated drawings . Many mining operations were built decades ago, and the original design documentation often no longer reflects the true geometry of the plant. This is where LiDAR scanning combined with modern engineering modelling tools such as SolidWorks has become an essential workflow for infrastructure upgrades and brownfield engineering projects. Why Accurate Measurement Matters in Mining Infrastructure Mining plants contain complex systems of: Pipework and slurry lines Conveyors and materials handling equipment Structural steel platforms and access systems Pumps, tanks, and processin...

  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...

From Point Cloud to Engineering Model – Mining Infrastructure and SolidWorks Design Modern mining and industrial infrastructure projects increasingly rely on accurate digital representations of existing plant conditions before design or upgrade work begins. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through 3D laser scanning and point cloud modelling , which allows engineers to capture millions of measurements from real-world facilities and convert them into usable engineering models. On the Mining Infrastructure and SolidWorks Design platform, we often explore how digital engineering tools support industrial projects. A key example is the point cloud to engineering model workflow , where laser scanning data is transformed into detailed CAD models used for design, retrofit engineering, and plant upgrades. Laser scanners capture dense datasets known as point clouds , where each point represents a precise coordinate in three-dimensional space. These points collectively form a hi...

How Engineers Capture Existing Conditions Before Plant Upgrades Mining and heavy industrial plants rarely stay static. Over time, equipment is upgraded, pipework is rerouted, structures are modified, and new systems are integrated into existing infrastructure. Before engineers design any upgrade, one critical step must happen first: accurately capturing the existing conditions of the plant. In many mining operations, original drawings are outdated or incomplete. Over decades of maintenance and modifications, the actual layout of pipework, conveyors, steel structures, and equipment may differ significantly from what is recorded on historical drawings. This is where engineering-grade 3D laser scanning has become an essential tool for engineers and CAD designers working on plant upgrades. You can learn more about engineering scanning workflows here: https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/home/engineering-grade-3d-laser-scanning-mining-industrial/ Why Existing Conditions Matter for Plant Des...

  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...