From 3D LiDAR Scanning to AS 1100 Engineering Drawings in Sydney

From 3D LiDAR Scanning to AS 1100 Engineering Drawings in Sydney

Accurate engineering drawings begin with reliable information about the existing site.

For many brownfield, industrial and fabrication projects in Sydney, the available drawings may be incomplete, outdated or inconsistent with what has actually been installed. Equipment may have been replaced, structures modified and pipework rerouted without the original drawings being updated.

This creates a significant challenge when new equipment, steelwork, access platforms, guards, pipework or mechanical components must be designed to fit an existing facility.

3D LiDAR scanning provides an effective way to capture the current site conditions. The resulting point cloud can then be converted into 3D CAD models and technical drawings prepared with reference to the relevant requirements of the AS 1100 technical drawing series.

Hamilton By Design provides 3D LiDAR scanning and 3D modelling in Sydney, helping industrial operators, fabricators, mechanical contractors and engineering teams convert real site conditions into practical engineering deliverables.





What is AS 1100?

The AS 1100 series establishes recognised conventions for preparing and presenting technical drawings in Australia.

Depending on the type of project, the relevant parts of the series may address matters such as:

  • drawing layouts and sheet sizes;

  • line types and line thicknesses;

  • scales;

  • dimensions and tolerances;

  • sections and detail views;

  • engineering symbols;

  • drawing terminology and abbreviations;

  • mechanical engineering drawing conventions;

  • structural engineering drawings; and

  • engineering survey drawings.

AS 1100 provides a common technical language for engineers, designers, draftspersons, fabricators, contractors and project managers.

A drawing that follows consistent technical drawing conventions is generally easier to interpret, review, manufacture from and maintain throughout the life of the asset.

Why 3D scanning is valuable before preparing drawings

AS 1100 provides conventions for communicating engineering information, but it does not determine whether the dimensions shown on a drawing accurately represent the existing installation.

That accuracy depends on the quality of the site information used to develop the drawing.

Traditional site measurement can be suitable for simple components and accessible installations. However, it becomes more difficult when a project involves:

  • congested industrial plant;

  • complex equipment geometry;

  • restricted access;

  • elevated structures;

  • multiple connection points;

  • existing pipework and cable routes;

  • irregular fabricated components;

  • surrounding steelwork;

  • shutdown-critical modifications; or

  • areas that are difficult to measure safely.

Terrestrial 3D LiDAR scanning captures millions of spatial measurement points across the visible surfaces of the site. These points form a three-dimensional point cloud representing the existing equipment, structures and surrounding conditions.

The point cloud provides a reliable spatial reference from which selected project areas can be modelled and documented.

From point cloud to 3D engineering model

The raw point cloud is generally only the beginning of the engineering workflow.

Following site capture, the individual scan positions are registered into a coordinated dataset. Relevant work areas can then be isolated and used to develop a 3D CAD model.

Depending on the project requirements, the model may include:

  • structural steel;

  • mechanical equipment;

  • conveyors and transfer equipment;

  • tanks and vessels;

  • platforms, stairs and handrails;

  • pipework and supports;

  • access and maintenance zones;

  • guards and enclosures;

  • equipment interfaces; and

  • surrounding obstructions.

Not every item visible in a point cloud needs to be modelled. The required modelling detail should be determined by the intended engineering outcome.

For example, a fabrication project may require detailed modelling of connection points and surrounding obstructions, while distant building elements may only need to be represented as simplified spatial envelopes.

Hamilton By Design’s Sydney 3D scanning and modelling service combines site capture with mechanical design, SolidWorks modelling and engineering drafting.

Producing drawings with reference to AS 1100

Once the necessary existing conditions have been modelled, drawings can be developed for the required project purpose.

Typical drawing deliverables may include:

  • general arrangement drawings;

  • plan views;

  • elevations;

  • sections;

  • fabrication drawings;

  • equipment layouts;

  • installation drawings;

  • mechanical component drawings;

  • structural modification drawings;

  • interface drawings;

  • demolition or removal drawings; and

  • as-built documentation.

Where applicable to the project scope, these drawings can be prepared with reference to the relevant parts of the AS 1100 series.

This may include presenting the information using consistent:

  • line conventions;

  • projection methods;

  • dimensioning practices;

  • section indicators;

  • detail references;

  • drawing scales;

  • title blocks;

  • notes;

  • revision controls; and

  • material or fabrication information.

The applicable drawing standard and level of detail should be agreed at the beginning of the project. This helps ensure that the drawing contains the information required by the client, engineer, fabricator or installation contractor.

Mechanical engineering drawings

For mechanical and fabrication work, AS 1100.201 is particularly relevant because it addresses mechanical engineering drawing practices.

Mechanical drawings developed from scanned information may be used to communicate:

  • equipment dimensions;

  • component geometry;

  • hole locations;

  • connection details;

  • weld information;

  • machining requirements;

  • surface requirements;

  • materials;

  • tolerances; and

  • assembly relationships.

However, a drawing should not include assumed manufacturing information merely because an item appears in the scan.

A point cloud captures visible geometry. It does not automatically confirm:

  • the material grade;

  • internal construction;

  • weld quality;

  • concealed connections;

  • wall thickness;

  • manufacturing tolerances;

  • structural capacity; or

  • compliance with another engineering standard.

These matters may require existing records, physical inspection, material testing, engineering calculations or confirmation from the client.

Supporting fabrication and installation

One of the most valuable applications of combining 3D scanning with AS 1100 drawing practices is supporting fabrication for existing facilities.

A replacement component may be manufactured accurately but still fail to fit if the design is based on incorrect site dimensions.

A scan-based workflow can help the project team:

  1. capture the existing installation;

  2. identify critical interfaces;

  3. create a coordinated 3D model;

  4. position the proposed design within the existing conditions;

  5. check surrounding clearances;

  6. produce technical drawings;

  7. communicate fabrication requirements; and

  8. plan the installation before arriving on site.

This is particularly useful where installation time is limited or the work must be completed during a shutdown.


Watercolour illustration of 3D LiDAR scanning in Sydney, showing an industrial plant, point cloud transition, AS 1100 engineering drawing sheet and Hamilton By Design logo.


Typical Sydney applications

3D scanning, modelling and technical drawing services can support a wide range of Sydney projects, including:

  • manufacturing plant upgrades;

  • port and freight infrastructure;

  • water and wastewater facilities;

  • commercial plant rooms;

  • warehouses and distribution centres;

  • food-production facilities;

  • power and utility assets;

  • mechanical equipment replacement;

  • conveyor and materials-handling systems;

  • access-platform modifications;

  • machinery guarding;

  • structural steel modifications; and

  • fabrication for existing installations.

The process is especially valuable where existing documentation cannot be relied upon or where a proposed design must fit around operational plant.

Drawing standards do not replace engineering assessment

It is important to distinguish between technical drawing presentation and engineering compliance.

Preparing a drawing with reference to AS 1100 does not, by itself, establish that the design complies with structural, mechanical, machinery-safety, pressure-equipment or access standards.

Depending on the project, additional standards may apply, including standards covering:

  • structural steel;

  • design actions;

  • welding;

  • machinery safety;

  • platforms and access systems;

  • pressure piping;

  • pressure equipment;

  • lifting devices; or

  • conveyors.

Engineering calculations, design verification and certification should be separately identified in the project scope where required.

Similarly, 3D scanning records visible existing conditions. It does not automatically certify the condition, capacity or compliance of the assets captured.


Retro-style image showing 3D LiDAR scanning in Sydney, an industrial point cloud, 3D modelling, AS 1100 engineering drawings and the Hamilton By Design logo.


Turning Sydney site conditions into practical deliverables

The value of 3D LiDAR scanning extends beyond producing a point cloud.

When scanning is combined with appropriate 3D modelling and recognised technical drawing practices, existing-site information can be transformed into deliverables that support design, review, fabrication, installation and asset documentation.

Hamilton By Design provides 3D LiDAR scanning and 3D modelling in Sydney for projects requiring an engineer-led pathway from site capture through to usable CAD models and technical drawings.

Available deliverables can include registered point clouds, SolidWorks models, neutral 3D CAD files, general arrangement drawings and fabrication documentation.

To discuss a Sydney project, visit the linked service page and provide details of the asset, site location, required outputs and proposed project schedule.



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Location: Sydney NSW, Australia

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