Why 3D Scanning Matters Before Mining Equipment, Conveyor and Chute Upgrades

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Reducing fabrication uncertainty, improving equipment fit-up and supporting mining shutdown planning. The Challenge of Modifying Existing Mining Equipment Mining processing plants rarely remain exactly as they were originally designed. Over time, conveyors are modified, transfer chutes are replaced, platforms are installed and mechanical equipment is upgraded to meet changing production requirements. Unfortunately, the original engineering drawings may not reflect these modifications. For maintenance superintendents, project engineers and shutdown planners, this creates an important question: How can new equipment be designed and fabricated to fit an existing mining plant when the installed geometry is uncertain? One practical solution is to use 3D LiDAR scanning before engineering design begins. Hamilton By Design combines 3D scanning, point cloud processing, mechanical engineering and CAD modelling to support mining equipment modifications across Australia. Read the full engineering ...

AI-Assisted Detailing vs Real Fabrication Detailing

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 AI-Assisted Detailing vs Real Fabrication Detailing

In recent years, “AI-assisted detailing” has been promoted as a way to automate drawing production for steelwork fabrication. While these tools can improve drafting speed, they often miss the fundamental requirement of fabrication: delivering clear, practical, and buildable information.

AI-assisted detailing typically focuses on:

  • Automatically placing dimensions
  • Suggesting annotations
  • Increasing drawing completeness

However, more information does not necessarily result in better drawings.


Split image showing AI-generated steel drawings with excessive dimensions on one side, and a real fabricator cutting steel using a grinder with a simple, practical drawing on the other.



🧠 The Reality of Steel Fabrication

In many fabrication workshops, steel is still cut and prepared using:

  • Oxy cutting
  • Angle grinders
  • Manual fit-up processes

In these environments, overly detailed drawings—such as those filled with X and Y coordinate systems or excessive dimensions—can create confusion rather than clarity.

What fabricators actually need is:

  • Clear cut lengths
  • Simple offsets and references
  • Practical, easy-to-read drawings aligned with how the work is performed

⚙️ The Role of Rule-Based Detailing

Well-developed rule-based detailing systems, such as those used in Tekla Structures or customised CAD workflows, embed fabrication knowledge directly into the drawing process.

These systems:

  • Apply predefined connection and detailing standards
  • Produce consistent, fabrication-ready outputs
  • Reflect workshop practices and capabilities

When properly configured, rule-based detailing removes the need for AI to “guess” what should be included in a drawing.

👷 Experience Still Matters

Detailers with decades of experience understand:

  • What information is critical
  • What can be omitted
  • How drawings are interpreted on the workshop floor

This level of judgement cannot currently be replicated by AI.

🧭 Our Approach

At Hamilton By Design, we focus on delivering engineering outcomes, not just automated drawings.

Our process:

  • Starts with accurate, real-world data (including LiDAR where required)
  • Applies structured, rule-based detailing aligned with fabrication practices
  • Produces drawings that are clear, practical, and ready to build

✅ The Bottom Line

AI can assist drafting workflows, but it does not replace:

  • Fabrication knowledge
  • Engineering judgement
  • Workshop experience

The goal is not to produce more drawings faster.
The goal is to produce the right drawings for how the steel is actually fabricated.


Steel Detailing 


CAD and modelling services button with 3D cube wireframe design

3D scanning services button with LiDAR scanner and point cloud wireframe model

Mechanical engineering services button with pump system CAD model and industrial wireframe design


CAD Drafting

Location: Australia

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