Adelaide is the engineering hub for South Australia’s gas plants, mining operations and the Whyalla steelworks. Hamilton By Design supports these assets with high-accuracy 3D LiDAR scanning, 3D modelling, mechanical and structural engineering and FEA, so upgrades and shutdowns go together first time, every time.
We help project teams reduce rework, improve safety and make better decisions with reliable, engineering-ready as-built data.
Who We Work With in South Australia
We provide 3D scanning and engineering support for:
- Gas & power operations
- Torrens Island power station and associated gas infrastructure near Adelaide
- Gas processing, compressor stations and pipelines linked to Moomba and Cooper Basin supply
- Mining operations engineered from Adelaide
- Olympic Dam, Prominent Hill, Carrapateena and other copper, gold and uranium operations
- Satellite processing plants, conveyors, crushers and SAG mills that feed these mines
- Steel and heavy industrial assets
- Whyalla Steelworks – Australia’s only manufacturer of rail and a major producer of structural steel
- Associated ports, materials-handling systems and mining operations in the Middleback Range
- Fabrication and maintenance workshops around Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Wingfield, Osborne and Whyalla handling heavy steel, OEM equipment and modular skids.
If your plant moves gas, ore, concentrate or steel, we can scan it, model it and help you engineer changes with confidence.
3D LiDAR Scanning for Gas, Mining & Steel
We deploy 3D laser scanners to capture dense point clouds of complex brownfield environments, including:
- Gas plants, compressor stations and power station pipe racks
- Process plants, crushers, screens, SAG/ball mills and transfer towers
- Conveyors, stacker-reclaimers and stockpile systems
- Structural steel, platforms, stairs and access ways
- Tank farms, pump skids and utility systems
- Steelmaking plant and materials-handling systems at Whyalla
Why use 3D scanning?
- Accurate as-built data when drawings are outdated or missing
- Less time on site and fewer return visits
- Safer measurement in congested or high-risk areas
- Better shutdown planning and tie-in design
- Reduced rework when installing new equipment or modules
We can scan during shutdowns, night shifts or live-plant windows, working under your permit-to-work and safety systems.
From Point Cloud to Engineering-Ready Models
Using the scan data, we create clean 3D models suitable for design, verification and fabrication:
- Piping and equipment models for gas plants and power stations
- Mechanical models of crushers, feeders, chutes, SAG mills and associated structures
- Structural steel models for access, maintenance and support frames
- As-built models of conveyors, galleries and transfer towers
- Key areas of the Whyalla steelworks where modifications or replacements are planned
Deliverables can include:
- Registered point clouds (E57, RCP/RCS, LAS)
- 3D CAD models (SolidWorks, STEP/IGES, IFC)
- 2D drawings for fabrication and installation
- Sections, clearances and clash-check views for design teams
Digital QA for Fabrication & Site Fit-Up
For Adelaide and Whyalla workshops fabricating for remote mines, gas plants or the steelworks, we provide digital quality assurance:
- Scan fabricated skids, frames, spools or chutes in the workshop
- Compare against the design model and/or original plant scan
- Check flange positions, bolt patterns, centre distances and critical interfaces
- Issue a clear report before the gear is shipped to site
This approach can catch misalignment and build issues early, avoiding costly rework at remote SA sites or within the Whyalla plant itself.
Mechanical, Structural & FEA Support
Where required, we combine scanning and modelling with engineering analysis:
- Mechanical design and verification of chutes, hoppers, frames and supports
- Structural checks on platforms, access systems and equipment supports
- FEA on high-load or fatigue-critical components (e.g. mill components, support brackets)
- Assessment of temporary lifting, transport or installation configurations
Results are documented in practical engineering reports, suited to internal review or third-party verification.
Why Adelaide & Whyalla Benefit from 3D Scanning
- Centralised engineering in Adelaide, remote assets in the field
– scan once, work from the digital twin for months or years - Brownfield plant everywhere – expansions, life-extension and decarbonisation projects all need accurate data
- Tight shutdowns and limited access windows
– better information = fewer surprises - Complex equipment such as mills, crushers, kilns and gas process skids that are difficult to measure by hand
3D scanning and digital workflows help owners and project teams manage risk on high-value, safety-critical assets.
Let’s Talk About Your SA Project
Whether you’re planning:
- A gas plant upgrade near Adelaide
- A mining project engineered in the CBD
- Fabrication for Whyalla Steelworks or related mines
- A shutdown requiring accurate as-built information
Hamilton By Design can support you with 3D LiDAR scanning, modelling and engineering.