Friday, 8 November 2013

Certifying Industrial Machine Guarding – Engineering Verification for Fixed Plant

Certifying Industrial Machine Guarding – Engineering Verification for Fixed Plant

Protecting people from moving machinery is one of the most important responsibilities in any workshop, processing facility, or mine site. Fixed plant guarding is not just a fabrication exercise – it is an engineering control that must be assessed, designed, and verified so that risk is reduced so far as reasonably practicable.


Before and after machine guarding showing hazard exposure versus protected fixed plant equipment.


Our latest article on the Hamilton By Design website explains how machine guarding certification-style verification works in Australia and what role a competent mechanical engineer can play in that process. The post covers:

  • What “certifying” machine guards really means under WHS law

  • How AS/NZS 4024 safeguarding principles are applied in practice

  • The difference between a product stamp and an engineering verification report

  • What should be inspected: reach distances, interlocks, fixings, defeat-resistance, and maintainability

  • Who holds responsibility when equipment is imported or modified

  • The type of documentation regulators expect to see

The article also outlines how the team at Hamilton By Design, as engineering design consultants, can assist industry with:

  • Independent guarding assessments and gap reviews

  • Retrofit guard design for brownfields equipment

  • Site verification and inspection records

  • Practical, defensible certification-style reports

  • Support for pre-commissioning and shutdown upgrades

If you operate conveyors, pumps, mixers, crushers, presses, or any other fixed machinery, this guidance will help you understand how proper engineering verification protects both workers and the business.

👉 Read the full post here:
Industrial Machine Guarding Certification (Fixed Plant) – Engineering Verification & Guard Design

Industrial Machine Guarding Certification (Fixed Plant) – Engineering Verification & Guard Design - Hamilton By Design Co.

Protect people. Design it properly. Verify it professionally.


Tuesday, 8 October 2013

3D Scanning for Marine & Ship Repair in Perth – Accurate Data for Faster Refits

Perth’s maritime industry relies on precision. Whether a vessel is alongside in Fremantle, in dry dock at Henderson, or undergoing upgrades offshore, every millimetre matters. 3D Scanning for Marine & Ship Repair in Perth is changing the way repair yards and engineers approach refits—replacing manual measurements with accurate digital capture.




Laser scanning records hull geometry, pipe systems, engine rooms and deck structures as dense point clouds. This measured data becomes the foundation for Scan-to-BIM workflows, allowing naval architects and fabricators to design directly from the as-built condition of the vessel. The result is better fitting steel inserts, prefabricated pipe spools that align first time, and shorter time alongside.

Typical deliverables from marine 3D scanning include:

  • Engineering-grade point clouds for AutoCAD and Rhino

  • Scan-to-BIM models for ShipConstructor and Navisworks

  • Fabrication files in DXF, STEP and Parasolid formats

  • As-built verification for class submissions

  • Clash detection before hot work begins

For older vessels with decades of undocumented modifications, scanning provides a single source of truth. It protects project managers, engineers and fabricators from costly assumptions and reduces the risk of rework in confined marine spaces.

Capture can be completed during short berthing windows, night shifts, or between tide movements, meaning the vessel does not need to stop trading for long. One site visit can support months of detailed design back in the office.

To learn how 3D Scanning for Marine & Ship Repair in Perth can support hull repairs, pipe upgrades and jetty interfaces, read the full article here:

👉 Read the full post:

3D Scanning for Marine & Ship Repair in Perth - Hamilton By Design Co.


Hamilton By Design name displayed in silver 3D lettering on a tilted blue plate


Accurate data means safer repairs, predictable schedules and vessels back in service sooner.    

Thursday, 8 August 2013

3D Scanning Perth – Scan-to-BIM Services Transforming Engineering Accuracy

 

3D Scanning Perth – Scan-to-BIM Services Transforming Engineering Accuracy

Digital engineering is reshaping how projects are designed, coordinated, and delivered. In Western Australia, 3D Scanning Perth – Scan-to-BIM Services are becoming the backbone of modern construction, mining, and industrial upgrades—converting real-world conditions into reliable BIM models that teams can trust.

3D laser scanner operating in Perth with point cloud transitioning into a BIM model illustrating Scan-to-BIM workflow and engineering deliverables.


At Hamilton By Design, engineering-grade LiDAR capture is used to create highly accurate point clouds that feed directly into structured BIM workflows. This approach ensures that designers, engineers, and contractors are working from measured reality rather than assumptions, reducing clashes, rework, and costly site variations.

The Scan-to-BIM process delivers tangible outcomes:

  • Precise as-built BIM models aligned to site conditions

  • Point cloud data registered for Revit, Navisworks, and IFC platforms

  • Clash detection before fabrication and installation

  • Digital coordination for brownfield upgrades and retrofits

  • Reliable spatial data for long-term asset management

Whether it’s an operating mine, processing plant, commercial building, or infrastructure corridor, 3D scanning provides a single source of truth. By anchoring BIM deliverables to accurate field measurements, projects gain predictability in scheduling, procurement, and construction sequencing.

For organisations in Perth seeking to de-risk complex projects, Scan-to-BIM services offer a practical pathway from capture to coordinated design. The initial scan quality sets the foundation for every downstream activity—just like a strong backbone supports the whole body. When the capture is right, modelling, detailing, and construction become simpler, faster, and safer.

👉 Read the full article here:
https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/advancing-digital-engineering-through-3d-scanning-perth-scan-to-bim-services/


Hamilton By Design name displayed in silver 3D lettering on a tilted blue plate


Discover how professional 3D scanning in Perth is supporting BIM deliverables across mining, construction, and heavy industry—and how an engineer-led approach can protect project teams from uncertainty.

Monday, 1 July 2013

3D LiDAR Laser Scanning Services in Bahrain

 

3D LiDAR Laser Scanning Services in Bahrain – Australian Engineering Standards, Anywhere

Bahrain is seeing major investment in infrastructure, industrial upgrades and commercial development. For projects to succeed, design teams need accurate information about what really exists on site — not assumptions.

3D LiDAR laser scanning captures that reality with millimetre precision, creating a digital backbone for engineers, designers and constructors to work from with confidence.

Hamilton By Design provides engineering-led 3D scanning services for Bahrain projects, delivering reliable as-built data that supports CAD, BIM, FEA and construction workflows.


The Scan Is the Backbone of the Project

Every design decision flows from the quality of the initial capture.
If the first scan is poor, even simple tasks become difficult — fabrication clashes, site variations and rework quickly follow.

A high-quality LiDAR survey:

  • Confirms true site geometry

  • Protects designers and fabricators from assumptions

  • Reduces shutdown durations

  • Allows accurate prefabrication

  • Supports remote engineering collaboration


Hamilton By Design 3D styled logo on blue angled panel



Tailored to Your Systems

We don’t force your project into a single software workflow.

Hamilton By Design delivers vendor-neutral scan data tailored to suit your CAD, BIM, FEA and engineering platforms. Whether your team works in Revit, AutoCAD, Tekla, SolidWorks, Inventor, Plant 3D or specialist analysis tools, we shape the outputs to fit your process.

Typical deliverables include:

  • Registered point clouds aligned to project coordinates

  • Geometry for CAD modelling and fabrication

  • Reference data for structural and mechanical FEA

  • As-built verification for tie-ins

  • Mesh or surface models where required

Our focus is accurate engineering information — your team chooses the tools.


Australian Quality – Across All Clients and All Climates

All work is delivered to Australian quality expectations and Australian build standards across all clients and all climates.
Our workflows are proven in heat, humidity, coastal and heavy industrial environments, giving Bahrain projects the same level of rigour expected on Australian mining and infrastructure sites.


Industries We Support in Bahrain

  • Oil & gas and process facilities

  • Ports and marine structures

  • Commercial buildings

  • Transport infrastructure

  • Manufacturing plants

  • Power and utilities

  • Architectural and heritage documentation

Watercolour illustration of 3D LiDAR laser scanning in Bahrain showing engineers capturing an industrial site with a scanner and tablet, styled in Bahrain flag colours with Australian quality standards message.



Start With Certainty

If you have a project in Bahrain that needs reliable as-built information, we can mobilise quickly, capture the site and deliver engineering-ready data to your team in Australia or Bahrain.

Don’t let poor site information drive your project — start with a strong backbone.

Contact Hamilton By Design for 3D LiDAR laser scanning services in Bahrain.



Wednesday, 19 June 2013

SMP Projects: Start With a 3D Scan, Finish With a True Digital As-Built

 

SMP Projects: Start With a 3D Scan, Finish with a True Digital As-Built

Every Structural, Mechanical & Piping (SMP) project begins with the same problem:

What actually exists on site today?

Old drawings rarely match reality. Pipes have been rerouted, structures strengthened, conveyors modified, and equipment shifted over years of operation. Beginning an SMP upgrade with a tape measure and sketches builds risk into the job from day one.

The modern workflow is simple:

  1. 3D laser scan at project start – capture reality

  2. Design and construct from accurate data

  3. 3D laser scan at project end – deliver true as-built

No measuring tapes. No assumptions. Just engineering-grade data from start to finish.


Infographic showing SMP 3D laser scanning workflow from start scan to clash-free design and final digital as-built.



Scan First – Create the Backbone of the SMP Project

An initial 3D scan records exactly where everything is:

  • Structural steel, platforms and supports

  • Conveyors, chutes and transfer points

  • Pumps, tanks and mechanical equipment

  • Process piping and services

  • Access ways and maintenance clearances

This scan becomes the backbone of the project.
When the backbone is accurate, design is easy.
If the backbone is broken, even simple SMP tasks become difficult.

Engineers can design directly from the point cloud to produce:

  • Structural modifications

  • Mechanical upgrades

  • Piping reroutes

  • Clash-free fabrication models


Build With Confidence

Designing from real scan data means:

  • Steel arrives and fits first time

  • Pipe spools match site conditions

  • Conveyor upgrades align correctly

  • Less site rework

  • Shorter shutdowns

  • Safer installations

For SMP works, hours on site are expensive. A few hours of scanning can remove weeks of uncertainty.


Scan Last – The Real As-Built

At project completion a second 3D laser scan provides:

  • Digital as-built of the entire SMP scope

  • Exact record of installed steel, mechanical and piping

  • Verification without manual measurements

  • A model for maintenance and future upgrades

This final scan replaces the measuring tape.
The asset owner receives a living digital record ready for the next stage of the plant’s life.


One Data Source for the Whole SMP Lifecycle

Start of Project – Reality Capture

  • Brownfields conditions

  • Tie-in verification

  • Design foundation

  • Risk reduction

End of Project – As-Built Capture

  • Installed condition

  • Quality verification

  • Maintenance model

  • Future upgrade base

One technology supporting the entire SMP journey.


Ideal for SMP Works Such As

  • Conveyor and chute replacements

  • Structural upgrades

  • Piping modifications

  • Tank and hopper work

  • Shutdown tie-ins

  • Plant expansions


Build It Once – Build It Right

SMP projects are too critical to rely on sketches and tape measures.
A structured scan → design → scan workflow gives engineers, fabricators and maintenance teams a single source of truth.

Start with a 3D scan.
Finish with a 3D as-built.
Let the data do the measuring.



3D rendered Hamilton By Design text on dark blue background


Wednesday, 8 May 2013

3D Laser Scanning Parramatta

 

3D Laser Scanning Parramatta – Engineering-Grade Data for Smarter Conveyor Upgrades

Industrial facilities across Parramatta and Western Sydney rely on conveyor systems that were often built decades ago. Modifying or upgrading these assets without accurate as-built information introduces risk—misaligned chutes, clashing steelwork, and costly rework.

3D laser scanning removes that uncertainty by capturing the true condition of your plant before a single design hour is spent.

👉 Read the full engineering case study here:
https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/3d-laser-scanning-in-parramatta-engineering-grade-data-for-safer-conveyor-systems-and-better-risk-management/


Why Laser Scanning Matters for Conveyor Systems

Traditional tape measurements and hand sketches struggle to capture:

  • Worn liners and uneven belt profiles

  • Existing services and cable trays

  • Structural deflection

  • Access constraints for maintenance

  • Tie-in locations for new equipment

A registered point cloud becomes the backbone of the project. When the initial scan quality is right, every following task—design, fabrication, and installation—runs smoother. If the backbone is broken, even simple tasks become difficult.


What You Receive From a Parramatta 3D Scan

  • Millimetre-accurate point clouds

  • Mesh models for Navisworks coordination

  • DXF / STEP / Parasolid for engineering design

  • Data compatible with Revit, AutoCAD and most platforms

  • Clear visual record for risk reviews and safety planning

Our approach is practical and site-focused. We capture what your designers and maintenance teams actually need to make confident decisions.


Perfect for Western Sydney Industries

3D scanning is ideal for:

  • Conveyor upgrades and chute replacements

  • Brownfields plant modifications

  • Structural steel retrofits

  • Shutdown planning

  • Safety and access improvements

  • Condition documentation before major works

From Rosehill to Smithfield and across the Parramatta region, laser scanning helps teams design to reality—not assumptions.


Reduce Risk Before You Fabricate

Clashes discovered on site are expensive. Discovering them in the digital model is almost free.

The Parramatta project featured in our detailed article shows how early scanning improved:

  • Risk management

  • Maintenance access

  • Design coordination

  • Installation timeframes

Explore the full story and deliverables:


https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/3d-laser-scanning-in-parramatta-engineering-grade-data-for-safer-conveyor-systems-and-better-risk-management/


Talk to an Engineering-Led Scanning Team

If you’re planning a conveyor upgrade or plant modification in Parramatta or Western Sydney, start with accurate data. A short site scan today can prevent months of pain tomorrow.


3D rendered Hamilton By Design text on dark blue background



Tags: 3d laser scanning Parramatta, conveyor scanning Sydney, point cloud Western Sydney, industrial lidar Parramatta, as built survey NSW, engineering scanning

Category: 3D Scanning | Industrial Engineering | Asset Management

Monday, 1 April 2013

3D Laser Scanning Services Brisbane

 

3D Laser Scanning Services Brisbane – Accurate As-Builts for Engineering & Construction

Brisbane projects are becoming more complex, and accurate site data has never been more important. 3D laser scanning provides fast, reliable, and engineering-grade capture of existing buildings, structures, and plant—removing guesswork before design, fabrication, or construction begins.

Whether you’re upgrading a commercial building in the CBD, modifying a processing plant in Eagle Farm, or planning structural alterations in Southeast Queensland, laser scanning delivers a true digital record of what is actually on site.


Surveyor using a 3D laser scanner in Brisbane with point cloud overlay transitioning to an industrial BIM model.



What Is 3D Laser Scanning?

3D laser scanning uses LiDAR technology to capture millions of measurement points in minutes. The result is a highly accurate point cloud that represents every beam, pipe, wall, and service exactly as it exists.

From this data you can:

  • Create precise as-built drawings

  • Design new works to fit first time

  • Produce clash-free models for fabrication

  • Reduce site rework and delays

  • Share accurate information with the whole project team

The scan becomes the backbone of the project—when the initial capture is right, every following task becomes easier and more reliable.


Who Uses 3D Scanning in Brisbane?

Our Brisbane clients include:

  • Structural and mechanical engineers

  • Architects and building designers

  • Fabricators and detailers

  • Facility managers

  • Mining and industrial maintenance teams

  • Construction and fit-out contractors

Any project that relies on existing conditions benefits from a fast, accurate scan rather than manual measurement.


Typical Applications

  • Commercial building refurbishments

  • Structural steel upgrades

  • Plant modifications and brownfields work

  • Heritage building documentation

  • Pipework and mechanical upgrades

  • Shop fit-outs and tenancy changes

  • Concrete and façade surveys

Laser scanning is ideal where access is difficult, programs are tight, or accuracy is critical.


Deliverables to Suit Your Workflow

We can supply data in formats that suit your systems, including:

  • Registered point clouds

  • Mesh models for visualisation

  • DXF / STEP / Parasolid files

  • Data for Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks and other platforms

Our approach is software-agnostic—we adapt to your workflow, so the scan integrates smoothly with your design process.


Why Brisbane Projects Choose Laser Scanning

  • Capture a full site in hours, not days

  • Millimetre-level accuracy

  • Safer than manual measuring at height

  • Reduced need for return visits

  • Clear record for future stages

From the Port of Brisbane to regional Queensland, 3D scanning provides certainty before money is spent on fabrication or construction.


Ready to Scan Your Brisbane Project?

If you have an upcoming project that needs reliable as-built information, 3D laser scanning is the fastest way to de-risk design and construction.

Get in touch to discuss your scope, access requirements, and deliverables—and we’ll tailor a scanning solution to suit your Brisbane site.



Hamilton By Design name displayed in silver 3D lettering on a tilted blue plate


3D Scanning Engineering in Brisbane


Friday, 1 March 2013

3D Laser Scanning Melbourne

 

3D Laser Scanning Melbourne – Capture It Once, Build It Right

Modern projects in Melbourne move fast. Shutdown windows are short, sites are complex, and rework is expensive. 3D laser scanning has become the most reliable way to capture accurate engineering data so structures, pipework, and equipment fit together the first time.


Illustration showing a 3D laser scanner capturing an industrial site in Melbourne with an orange point cloud overlay and workflow from scan to first-time fit design.


Why 3D Laser Scanning Matters

Traditional site measurement relies on tapes, sketches, and assumptions. Even the best draftsperson cannot document every offset, twist, and obstruction inside an operating plant or building. Terrestrial LiDAR scanners capture millions of measured points in minutes, creating a true digital replica of the site.

For projects across Melbourne—industrial plants, commercial buildings, bridges, and infrastructure—3D scanning delivers:

  • Millimetre-level accuracy

  • Complete as-built records

  • Reduced site revisits

  • Faster design coordination

  • Reliable clash detection before fabrication

The reputation of structural draftspersons and engineers is built on the quality of their output. Starting with poor site data leads to poor drawings. Starting with a registered point cloud leads to confidence.

From Scan to Engineering Deliverables

A professional 3D scanning workflow typically includes:

  1. On-site capture using survey-grade LiDAR

  2. Registration of scans into a single point cloud

  3. Quality control and geo-referencing

  4. Extraction of models and drawings in your required format

  5. Integration with SolidWorks, Revit, AutoCAD or Navisworks

This approach suits brownfields upgrades, equipment replacements, structural modifications, and shutdown planning throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Who Benefits Most?

  • Structural and mechanical designers

  • Fabricators needing accurate tie-ins

  • Project managers planning shutdowns

  • Building owners documenting assets

  • Engineers validating existing structures

Whether it is a plant in Dandenong, a commercial site in the CBD, or infrastructure in the western suburbs, 3D laser scanning Melbourne services remove guesswork from engineering.

Capture Once – Use Everywhere

A single scan can support:

  • Structural steel detailing

  • Pipe routing

  • Platform and access design

  • Safety upgrades

  • Asset documentation

  • Future expansions

Instead of multiple site visits, the project team works from the same digital environment, anywhere.


Ready to De-Risk Your Melbourne Project?

3D laser scanning ensures components fit together first time, protects the reputation of designers, and keeps projects on schedule. Capture the truth of your site before you design a single bracket.

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

More with Less

Unemployment rates in Australia have significantly hiked from 5.2 per cent last year to the current level of 5.4 per cent. Job advertisements have slumped to their lowest level in three years, down 20 per cent in December 2012 compared to that of 2011

With many of the country's biggest employers shedding jobs through redundancy programs and reducing the size of their teams, how can employers and leaders guarantee sustained levels of productivity with a reduced workforce?

According to Cyril Peupion, work management expert and managing partner of Primary Asset Consulting, productivity has become the most important issue for businesses as we enter uncertain economic times.

"As a result of shrinking workforces, people are becoming overworked and stressed," Peupion said.

"They are trying to achieve the same level of results with a reduced team size. This is not what anyone wants, nor is it sustainable in the long term. In this challenging economic environment, leaders and their teams need to work smarter. In order for a team to be efficient, they must have an effective leader."

Peupion has the following suggestions for business owners, managers and team leaders to improve and maintain the productivity of their team:

1. Align

A recent survey has shown that 85 per cent of people do not know the goals of their organisation.

As a leader you need to create a strong link between the strategy of the organisation and the role of each person in your team.

2. Focus

One of the main issues for people in business is that they have too much work to get through. It is extremely rare to find a team that is not busy and over-committed. If you and your team take too much on you will fail as you are diluting the focus of your team.

In order to establish and maintain focus, ask your team a very valuable question: "what are the one or two things that, if we change, will impact the team's performance and enable the delivery of results?"

Only focus on one or two, not ten or twenty. This is a challenging activity but once these key areas of focus are identified, performance will improve.

3. Discipline

Having decided on the one or two things that need to be focused on, discipline is required. Very quickly the day to day tasks take over and before you know it, the areas of focus are put on the back burner because of an urgent crisis or task.

Once you have decided what the team should focus on and what it will mean for each person, monitor the progress weekly with the team. Set aside a time each week to make this happen.


"Staff end up frustrated, feeling out of control and stressed. It is vital that managers and leaders at every level strive to work smarter so that business objectives are met and staff don't burn out."






Sunday, 3 February 2013

3D Printing Expo

Australia’s first-ever dedicated 3D Printing Expo has been announced, and will take place in Mackay on June 13 this year.

The expo will feature speakers including Bruce Grey, managing director at the Advanced Manufacturing CRC, Professor Milan Brandt from RMIT, and John Barnes, CSIRO’s Titanium Theme Leader.

“3D printing is a technology that allows you to create real things in lots of different materials by building an object micro-layer by micro-layer,” explained the event’s coordinator, Lila Clarke.

“Even using inexpensive 3D printers, each layer can be as small as 0.1 mm - thinner than a sheet of paper.”

The choice of location of Mackay was explained in terms of the high proportion of engineers compared to the population.

The conference will be one of the first to examine the effect of 3D printing on a variety of sectors, and is expected to host 200-plus delegates. Those interested in attending can register here.

“The mind-blowing future includes the possibility of printing buildings in concrete as well as printing human organs layer by layer using cells and stem cells,” said Clarke.

“What computing did for information in the virtual world, 3D printing and additive manufacture is now doing for manufacture in the real world.”

The increasing availability (and affordability) of 3D printing and other forms of additive manufacturing is predicted to make a big impact on industry in the future.




Hamilton By Design offer a 1st Class 3D Solid modelling service



The expo will feature world class speakers describing and illustrating the biggest technological breakthrough in the manufacturing and design sectors since the first industrial revolution.

The team of Australian and international industry leaders speaking at the 3D Printing Expo include:

Dr. Mark Hodge - CEO, Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC)

Mr John Barnes - Titanium Theme Leader, CSIRO

Mr Bruce Grey - Managing Director at Advanced Manufacturing CRC

Professor Milan Brandt -Professor, RMIT

Simon Bartlett - Director, Rapid Pro

Mitchell Benness - Business Development Manager, 3D Systems

There is expected to be over 200 delegates attending representing local businesses in Mackay and surrounding areas, as well as a wide range of 3D printing industry leading sponsors and exhibitors.

Event Coordinator, Lila Clarke, said that this highly anticipated conference is one of the first in Australia to address the radical impact of 3D printing in a range of industries including engineering, construction, architecture, manufacturing and health.

"3D printing is a technology that allows you to create real things in lots of different materials by building an object micro-layer by micro-layer. Even using inexpensive 3D printers, each layer can be as small as 0.1 mm - thinner than a sheet of paper.

"3D printing is about adding substance rather than removing it, whereas with laser cutting and CNC milling you are taking substance away.

"At the basic level, you can recreate objects layer by layer in plastic. The mind-blowing future includes the possibility of printing buildings in concrete as well as printing human organs layer by layer using cells and stem cells.

"What computing did for information in the virtual world, 3D printing and additive manufacture is now doing for manufacture in the real world.

"The reason for choosing Mackay instead of a major city is that there are more engineers by population ratio than any other city in Australia. There is a significant mining boom and extensive support surrounding it.

"Regional centres like Mackay generally have to travel to major cities to visit conferences. Holding the conference in Mackay allows the target market to be directly involved from the very start”, Ms Clake added.

DATE Thursday 13 June 2013
TIME 9.00am - 5.00pm
VENUE Souths Leagues Club, 81 Milton St, Mackay QLD

About 3D PRINTING EXPO
The 3D Printing Expo is a business community project initiated by a group of small business owners in Townsville, Mackay and Brisbane. Its mission is to introduce new business and manufacturing technologies to regional and remote Queensland.

The impact that this innovation will have on the manufacturing industry is expected to be the most important since Henry Ford invented the production line.