Category: Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering covers the design, analysis, and optimisation of mechanical systems, equipment, and plant for industrial and infrastructure projects. This category explains how mechanical engineering supports safe, efficient, and buildable solutions across new works, upgrades, and brownfield environments.

Content in this category focuses on practical mechanical engineering workflows, including equipment layout, system design, verification, coordination with structures, and digital tools to reduce risk and improve constructability.

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3D Scanning for Gladstone

Gladstone’s Industrial Powerhouse: How 3D LiDAR Scanning, Engineering & Digital Modelling Are Transforming CQ Projects

Gladstone is unlike any other regional city in Australia. It is a true industrial powerhouse — home to the country’s largest multicommodity port, three LNG mega-plants, major alumina refineries, a huge aluminium smelter, power stations, chemical facilities, cement production and a constant cycle of shutdown and maintenance projects. If you work in engineering, fabrication, construction or heavy industry, Gladstone represents one of the most complex, interesting and opportunity-rich environments in the country.

At Hamilton By Design, we bring engineering-grade 3D LiDAR laser scanning, mechanical and structural engineering, 3D modelling and fabrication-ready drafting to support the precision required in this region. With so many brownfield assets, tight shutdown windows, high-risk environments and complex layouts, Gladstone’s industrial clients rely on accurate data and robust engineering to ensure safe, efficient and reliable project outcomes.

This article explores why Gladstone is such a unique engineering ecosystem — and how modern digital tools are improving plant upgrades, maintenance, fabrication, installation and long-term reliability.

Why Gladstone Is One of Australia’s Most Unique Engineering Environments

Gladstone’s industrial landscape is the result of decades of strategic investment and natural geographic advantages. No other regional city has this density of heavy processing facilities, export terminals and energy infrastructure in one place.

1. A Mega-Scale Industrial Port

The Port of Gladstone is Queensland’s largest multicommodity port, handling:

  • coal
  • LNG
  • alumina
  • aluminium
  • cement
  • bulk chemicals
  • mineral products
  • general and containerised freight

The port’s footprint includes conveyors, loading towers, wharf structures, pipelines, tanks, gantries and processing equipment — much of which requires ongoing scanning, modelling and engineering to maintain safe, efficient operations.

2. Three LNG Plants on Curtis Island

Gladstone is home to Australia’s only cluster of three major LNG export facilities, each containing:

  • pressure vessels
  • cryogenic tanks
  • kilometres of pipe racks
  • modularised process trains
  • large structural steel assemblies
  • jetties and marine loading arms

This creates unparalleled demand for digital engineering, scanning and verification.

3. A Complete Heavy-Industry Chain

Few cities have such an interconnected set of process plants:

  • Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL)
  • Rio Tinto Yarwun Alumina Refinery
  • Boyne Aluminium Smelter
  • NRG and other power facilities
  • Cement Australia

Each site requires constant:

  • shutdown planning
  • precise measurement
  • design modifications
  • structural integrity checks
  • digital as-builts
  • engineering documentation

This continuous workload makes Gladstone one of the biggest users of LiDAR scanning and mechanical/structural engineering in Australia.

4. The City Runs on Projects

Gladstone’s industrial sector operates year-round:

  • maintenance shutdowns
  • brownfield upgrades
  • fabrication campaigns
  • equipment replacements
  • process improvements

Accurate spatial data is not optional — it is essential for avoiding clashes, rework and costly delays.

3D LiDAR Laser Scanning — Reducing Risk in Gladstone’s Complex Industrial Plants

In a brownfield environment like Gladstone, complexity is the norm:

  • crowded pipe racks
  • confined spaces
  • undocumented modifications
  • ageing platforms and walkways
  • shifting alignment over time
  • corrosion and wear
  • intricate mechanical layouts

Traditional surveying simply cannot capture enough detail to support safe and efficient upgrades.

That’s why Hamilton By Design delivers engineering-grade 3D LiDAR scanning, capturing entire facilities with millimetre-level accuracy.

Our scanning provides high-resolution digital data for:

  • refineries
  • smelters
  • LNG plants
  • conveyors and materials handling
  • marine loading facilities
  • tanks and pressure systems
  • structural steel
  • civil and terrain modelling

The result is a precise, true-to-life digital environment used for design, clash detection, structural checks, fabrication planning and QA.

Learn more about our scanning capabilities here:
3D Laser Scanning

For Gladstone, LiDAR scanning means:

  • fewer shutdown delays
  • safer engineering access
  • accurate tie-in points
  • reduced rework during installation
  • better fabrication accuracy
  • confidence in brownfield modifications

In an environment where time = money, this technology is transformative.

3D Modelling & Drafting — Turning Complexity into Clarity

Once the scan data is captured, Hamilton By Design converts it into structured 3D CAD models and fabrication-ready drawings. This process is essential in Gladstone’s industrial context, where upgrades often occur inside densely packed areas with zero room for error.

We deliver:

  • SolidWorks models of equipment, structures and layouts
  • general arrangement (GA) drawings
  • detailed fabrication drawings
  • piping/isometric drawings
  • platform, handrail and structural packages
  • alignment and clearance analysis
  • digital QA documentation

For LNG, alumina, port and refinery clients, accurate 3D modelling prevents clashes, supports tender and fabrication packages, and provides a reliable digital reference long after the project is complete.

Mechanical & Structural Engineering for Gladstone’s Heavy Industry

Gladstone’s operating environment requires engineering that is:

  • robust
  • precise
  • compliant
  • optimised for reliability
  • grounded in real-world site conditions

Hamilton By Design provides mechanical and structural engineering for:

  • plant upgrades and retrofits
  • conveyor and materials handling systems
  • support structures, frames and platforms
  • tanks, piping and pressure systems
  • fatigue, stress and load assessments
  • access and maintenance design
  • lifting, mounting and replacement systems

Our engineer-led approach ensures all designs are supported by verified data from LiDAR scanning and validated using modern analysis tools.

Where We Add the Most Value in Gladstone

1. Refinery & Smelter Shutdown Engineering

Scanning + modelling reduces:

  • tie-in errors
  • mismatch in fabricated steel
  • shutdown overruns
  • safety risks

2. LNG Plant Modifications & Brownfield Upgrades

LiDAR gives accurate data for:

  • pipe rerouting
  • structural steel changes
  • equipment replacement
  • modular installation

3. Port Facilities & Marine Loading Infrastructure

We support:

  • conveyor structures
  • wharf upgrades
  • loadout systems
  • marine walkways and assets

4. Fabrication & Workshop Support

Local fabricators benefit from:

  • accurate shop drawings
  • digital QA
  • validated steel cutting
  • correct fit-up on first installation

5. Civil & Terrain Modelling

For foundations, tank pads, laydown areas and access roads.

End-to-End Accountability: Scan → Model → Engineer → Draft → Deliver

Gladstone’s project environment involves many contractors — which can lead to miscommunication. Hamilton By Design solves this with a unified workflow:

  1. 3D LiDAR Scan
  2. Point Cloud Registration
  3. 3D CAD Modelling
  4. Mechanical & Structural Engineering
  5. Fabrication-Ready Drafting
  6. Digital QA & Documentation

One team. One process. One accountable source.
Minimal rework. Maximum clarity.

Hamilton By Design logo displayed on a blue tilted rectangle with a grey gradient background

Gladstone’s Future Is Heavy Industry + Digital Precision — And We’re Ready

With rising LNG activity, alumina growth, port expansions, hydrogen projects and ongoing shutdowns, Gladstone is entering a new era of industrial development. Accurate data, digital modelling and strong engineering discipline are no longer optional — they are core to safe, efficient and cost-effective project delivery.

Hamilton By Design is here to support Gladstone with:

  • precision 3D LiDAR scanning
  • mechanical & structural engineering
  • 3D modelling and CAD drafting
  • digital project documentation
  • fabrication-ready deliverables

Whether you’re planning a shutdown, designing a new structure, upgrading existing systems or documenting a complex brownfield environment, we help you build with confidence.

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3D Lidar Scanning Bundaberg’s Industrial Evolution

Bundaberg’s Industrial Evolution: How 3D LiDAR Scanning, Engineering & Digital Modelling Are Modernising Regional Projects

Bundaberg may be famous for rum, ginger beer and turtles — but beneath its relaxed coastal reputation is a rapidly evolving industrial, agricultural and manufacturing hub powering a huge portion of Queensland’s regional economy. With major sugar operations, large-scale food processing, port development, aviation facilities, marine engineering and rural infrastructure all expanding, Bundaberg is quietly becoming one of the most diverse engineering environments in regional Australia.

At Hamilton By Design, we’re proud to support Bundaberg’s growth by providing 3D LiDAR laser scanning, mechanical and structural engineering, 3D modelling and drafting services tailored to the unique challenges of the region. Whether you’re upgrading a processing plant, modernising an agricultural facility, documenting flood-impacted infrastructure or developing marine and port assets, we offer end-to-end digital engineering capability that reduces risk, improves accuracy and streamlines project delivery.

This article explores what makes Bundaberg such a unique place for engineering — and how today’s digital tools are helping its industries design, maintain and build with confidence.

Why Bundaberg’s Industry Mix Demands High-Accuracy Digital Engineering

Bundaberg has one of the most diverse economies of any coastal regional city in Queensland. It is shaped by four major forces:

1. Agriculture & Food Production

Bundaberg is a national leader in:

  • sugarcane
  • macadamias
  • citrus
  • sweet potatoes
  • ginger
  • processed beverages

The presence of both Bundaberg Rum and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks means the region hosts advanced processing plants, bottling systems, conveyors, tanks, pipework and automated equipment — all of which require ongoing upgrades, inspections and engineering documentation.

2. Marine & Port Infrastructure

Port of Bundaberg supports:

  • bulk exports
  • marine servicing
  • vessel maintenance
  • fisheries and aquaculture supply chains

Port and marina expansions increasingly rely on accurate as-built data, coastal engineering, and detailed modelling of structural and mechanical systems.

3. Manufacturing & Fabrication

Bundaberg has a strong fabrication sector serving:

  • agriculture
  • food processing
  • marine
  • regional construction
  • heavy machinery maintenance

These workshops benefit enormously from precise laser scans and digital models to ensure steelwork fits the first time.

4. Floodplain & Civil Infrastructure

Sitting on the Burnett River, Bundaberg has unique hydrological challenges. Flood-impacted suburbs, bridges, drainage systems, pump stations and terrain require:

  • accurate ground modelling
  • as-built condition assessments
  • structural verification
  • digital documentation for upgrades and mitigation works

These factors make Bundaberg an ideal candidate for modern engineering supported by 3D LiDAR technology.

3D LiDAR Laser Scanning — Eliminating Guesswork in Bundaberg Projects

Bundaberg’s blend of agriculture, coastal assets, manufacturing and flood-prone areas means traditional tape-measure surveys often fall short. Complex geometry, ageing infrastructure, tight retrofits and undocumented changes can easily lead to costly errors.

Hamilton By Design uses engineering-grade 3D LiDAR laser scanning to capture entire sites with millimetre-level precision.

Our scans document:

  • processing equipment
  • structural steel and platforms
  • tanks, pipework and conveyors
  • marine facilities, wharfs, slipways
  • fabrication workshops
  • terrain and civil structures
  • legacy infrastructure needing refurbishment

This creates a complete digital “as-built” environment, ready for modelling and engineering.

Learn more about our process here: 3D Laser Scanning

For Bundaberg clients, the benefits are significant:

  • reduced shutdown time
  • fewer site visits
  • more accurate fabrication
  • confident planning and design
  • safer working conditions

The result is a faster, more predictable project with fewer surprises.

3D Modelling & Drafting — From Scanned Reality to Build-Ready Designs

After scanning, Hamilton By Design converts the point cloud into detailed 3D CAD models using SolidWorks and similar engineering platforms.

This allows us to deliver:

  • mechanical and structural models
  • general arrangement drawings
  • detailed fabrication drawings
  • pipe and tank layouts
  • conveyor, chutes and materials-handling upgrades
  • clash detection and interference reviews
  • BOMs and digital documentation

Bundaberg’s agricultural processing plants, beverage facilities, marine workshops and industrial sites often undergo staged upgrades — meaning existing equipment stays in place while new equipment is added. Accurate 3D models prevent conflicts and ensure everything fits perfectly when fabricated.

Engineering Services Supporting Bundaberg’s Growth

Bundaberg’s infrastructure is a mix of new development, legacy equipment and rural-industrial installations — each requiring professional engineering.

Hamilton By Design provides a full mechanical and structural capability including:

  • structural integrity assessments
  • platform, walkway and support-structure design
  • vibration, load and deflection assessments
  • mechanical upgrade design for processing plants
  • pipework and flow optimisation
  • fatigue and stress analysis (FEA)
  • pressure vessel and tank engineering
  • fabrication-ready documentation

Whether the project involves a food-processing plant, a marine facility, agricultural machinery, a port upgrade or civil asset rework, our engineering solutions deliver certainty and compliance.

Bundaberg Use Cases — Where Our Services Create the Most Impact

1. Sugar Mills & Beverage Production Facilities

Bundaberg’s sugarcane and beverage industries use large, complex mechanical systems. LiDAR scanning helps document aging infrastructure, fit new equipment, optimise flow, and reduce downtime.

2. Marine Engineering & Port Upgrades

Scanning captures accurate geometry of:

  • wharfs
  • slipways
  • hulls
  • coastal structures
  • mechanical support frames

Models support efficient repairs, upgrades or new marine installations.

3. Agricultural Processing & Packing Plants

From conveyors to tanks to packing lines, scanning ensures accurate upgrades and tight fabrication tolerances — essential for continuous agricultural operations.

4. Fabrication & Engineering Workshops

Bundaberg has many local fabricators who benefit from:

  • dimensionally accurate models
  • verified tie-in points
  • reduced rework
  • precise steel fabrication

5. Flood-Resilience & Civil Projects

Terrain scanning, structural assessment and digital modelling help modernise drainage, bridges, culverts and pump facilities — especially after flood events.

Our End-to-End Workflow — One Team, One Source of Accountability

Bundaberg clients often face delays when scanning, drafting and engineering are handled by separate contractors. Hamilton By Design provides a single-source solution:

  1. 3D LiDAR scanning
  2. Point cloud registration & accuracy verification
  3. 3D modelling of existing and new assets
  4. Mechanical & structural engineering
  5. Fabrication-ready drawings
  6. Digital QA and final documentation

This unified approach reduces handover errors and ensures every step flows smoothly.

Hamilton By Design logo displayed on a blue tilted rectangle with a grey gradient background

Bundaberg’s Future Is Digital — And Hamilton By Design Is Ready

As Bundaberg continues expanding its port, upgrading processing plants, improving civil infrastructure and developing new agricultural and manufacturing capacity, digital engineering will play a major role in keeping projects safe, efficient and profitable.

Hamilton By Design is here to support that growth with:

  • precision 3D LiDAR scanning
  • comprehensive mechanical and structural engineering
  • reliable 3D CAD modelling
  • fabrication-ready drafting
  • digital QA and project documentation

Whether you’re improving a plant, designing new equipment, documenting flood impacts or planning a marine upgrade — we help you build with confidence and accuracy.

Our Clients

Name
Would you like us to arrange a phone consultation for you?
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Lidar Scanning & Engineering in Cairns

Where Tropical Ecosystems, Marine Industry & Industrial Precision Converge

Cairns is not just a gateway to reefs and rainforests — it’s a strategic hub for marine engineering, coastal infrastructure, environmental projects and remote-region logistics. With its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics rainforest, a busy regional port, defence facilities and frequent heavy industrial and marine maintenance requirements, Cairns demands precision, flexibility and deep engineering expertise.

At Hamilton By Design, we understand those needs. Our offerings — 3D LiDAR laser scanning, mechanical and structural engineering, 3D modelling, and fabrication-ready drafting — are designed to meet the unique challenges of Northern Queensland. Whether it’s a marine-grade fabrication yard, a coastal infrastructure project, a remote-region logist­ics facility or an environmental structure upgrade — we deliver accuracy, compliance and quality from start to finish.

Why Cairns Is a Special Case for Engineering & Digital Surveying

Cairns combines tropical climate, marine exposure, rainforest-adjacent terrain, heritage sensitivity and strategic infrastructure in ways few other regional Australian cities do. Key aspects include:

  • Coastal and marine infrastructure needing resistance to corrosion, saltwater, tidal influence and cyclone-proofing.
  • Environmental and ecological constraints thanks to proximity to reef and rainforest — making accurate as-built documentation, impact assessments, and careful planning essential.
  • A busy port, marine services and vessel maintenance sector — requiring complex structural, mechanical and fabrication-grade precision.
  • Remote-area supply chains and logistics hubs serving Cape York, Torres Strait, Gulf communities and mining / remote-site projects.
  • Mixed infrastructure: commercial, marine, industrial, tourism-facing — often on tight schedules due to weather, seasonal demand or regulatory windows.

In short: for projects in Cairns, there’s no room for guesswork. What’s needed is digital accuracy, detailed planning and structured engineering from scanning to delivery.

3D LiDAR Laser Scanning — The Foundation for Reliable Project Delivery

Most coastal, marine or tropical-region facilities have complexities that challenge traditional surveying: uneven terrain, tide-influenced shorelines, dense vegetation, complex plant and structural geometry, and legacy infrastructure.

Our 3D LiDAR laser scanning solves these problems by capturing an exact “digital twin” of the existing environment — down to millimetre precision. That means:

  • accurate as-built geometry of buildings, wharfs, vessels, platforms, terrain, and utilities
  • precise mapping of structural steel, supports, pipework, stairs, and foundations
  • detailed spatial data for marine and coastal assets — including elevation, overhangs, clearances, and water-line references
  • baseline data for planning upgrades, maintenance, or compliance audits

For any project where precision is critical — from marine maintenance to coastal-infrastructure retrofits — LiDAR scanning provides the data foundation you can trust.

Learn more about our scanning service: 3D Laser Scanning

3D Modelling & Drafting: Turning Point-Clouds into Work-Ready Designs

Once the scan is complete, Hamilton By Design converts raw point clouds into intelligent 3D CAD models and fabrication-ready drawings. This step is critical when building or refurbishing:

  • marine-grade structural supports and frameworks
  • coastal infrastructure (jetties, boat ramps, wharf extensions)
  • buildings, sheds, warehouses with corrosion-resistant materials
  • processing facilities for marine, aquaculture or remote-region supply
  • environmental or utility infrastructure sensitive to terrain and waterline

We provide:

  • accurate mechanical and structural models
  • general-arrangement (GA) drawings
  • detailed fabrication drawings, isometrics, BOMs
  • interference / clash detection before any welding or cutting begins
  • digital documentation for regulatory compliance, QA and future maintenance

With this workflow, you get clean, precise, build-ready plans — essential for tropical marine environments where mistakes are expensive.

Engineering Services for Cairns’ Unique Industrial & Marine Needs

From marine maintenance to coastal infrastructure, Cairns projects often involve corrosion resistance, flooding, cyclone-proofing, load-bearing structures, and complex geometry. Hamilton By Design offers:

  • structural design for coastal & marine facilities (jetties, piers, decks, frames)
  • stress, vibration, fatigue and load capacity analysis (especially for salt-water, tidal and dynamic loads)
  • mechanical design for processing plants, workshops, offshore-support equipment
  • piping, ducting, and pressurised systems — especially in marine, water treatment or aquaculture facilities
  • environmental compliance support — ensuring designs accommodate tidal ranges, erosion, storm surges, vegetation and terrain

Whether for a harbour-side workshop, a marine-service shed, or remote-region logistics facility, we deliver structural integrity, regulatory compliance, and practical build plans.

Real-World Use Cases for Cairns — Where Hamilton By Design Adds Value

Marine Infrastructure & Vessel Maintenance

For shipyards, vessel refits, port-side maintenance or marine-support infrastructure, accurate spatial data + structural modelling is critical. LiDAR scanning ensures all geometry is captured — ideal for planning upgrades, retrofits or new builds with tight tolerances.

Coastal & Reef-Adjacent Infrastructure

Marine-environment facilities, boardwalks, eco-tourism builds, boat ramps, jetties or reef-support structures benefit from precise bathymetric / terrain-adjacent scans, corrosion-resistant design, and structural integrity.

Remote-Region Logistics & Utility Facilities

Supplying remote Northern Queensland or island communities often involves complex logistics, tight installation windows and harsh environmental conditions. Digital modelling + drafting supports efficient, low-risk builds and maintenance.

Industrial Workshops & Fabrication Yards

Whether for marine fabrication, equipment repair, small-scale processing, or heavy-duty maintenance — these facilities benefit from accurate as-built documentation, clash detection, and fabrication-ready drawings before work begins.

Environmentally Sensitive / Compliance Projects

Projects near rainforest or reef zones often require strict regulatory compliance, environmental impact design, storm-water management, erosion control, and terrain-aware structural planning. Our engineering services integrate these factors from the start.

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Why Cairns & Hamilton By Design — The Perfect Combination

Cairns’ unique blend of tropical climate, marine exposure, environmental sensitivity, remote-region logistics and industrial demand means projects here aren’t simple. They require precision, compliance, resilience, and planning for extremes.

Hamilton By Design brings together:

  • 3D LiDAR laser scanning for accurate as-built documentation
  • 3D modelling & drafting to turn scan data into build-ready plans
  • Mechanical & structural engineering tailored to marine, coastal and tropical environments
  • End-to-end project documentation for compliance, QA and future maintenance

Whether you’re building a marine maintenance facility, refurbishing coastal infrastructure, servicing remote-region supply chains, or building a fabrication workshop — with Hamilton By Design, you get reliability, clarity and quality.

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Townsville’s Industrial Frontier

Townsville’s Industrial Frontier — How 3D LiDAR, Digital Engineering and Modern Drafting Are Powering North Queensland Projects

Townsville is much more than a tropical coastal city — it’s the beating industrial heart of Northern Australia. As the largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, Townsville connects mining, maritime, defence, manufacturing and export logistics in a way few other regional centres can.

With rapid growth across the port, military infrastructure, mining-supply networks, marine services and export facilities, the region demands precision, reliability and future-ready engineering solutions. That’s where Hamilton By Design steps in — offering tailored 3D LiDAR laser scanning, comprehensive mechanical and structural engineering, advanced 3D modelling, and fabrication-ready drafting to meet Townsville’s unique and complex needs.

If you’re planning a warehouse expansion, a plant upgrade, port logistics facility, or maintenance overhaul — we give you data-driven confidence from day one.

Why Townsville Needs Digital Engineering & 3D Scanning

Townsville stands out among Australian regional cities because of its diverse economy and heavy industrial footprint:

  • It hosts one of Australia’s busiest multi-cargo seaports — Port of Townsville — handling minerals, metals, bulk exports, container freight, and supporting exports from Western and North-West Queensland mining regions.
  • It supports major mining supply chains, metal-refining operations and logistics infrastructure across the region.
  • It hosts the largest defence garrison in northern Australia — Lavarack Barracks — plus associated military, infrastructure and support-facility requirements.
  • Townsville’s urban and industrial centre sits beside a sensitive coastal environment, with proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and marine ecosystems — meaning infrastructure must often balance heavy-duty utility with environmental and spatial constraints.

This mix of heavy industry, maritime logistics, defence requirements, and environmental sensitivity demands more than standard surveys — it needs digital accuracy, thorough engineering, careful planning and future-ready documentation.

3D LiDAR Laser Scanning — The Foundation of High-Integrity Projects

When dealing with port terminals, refinery installations, mining supply warehouses, defence facilities, or heavy-machinery workshops, inaccurate site measurements can be costly — leading to misaligned equipment, interference, regulation compliance risks, fabrication errors or rework.

At Hamilton By Design, our 3D LiDAR laser scanning service captures full as-built environments with high precision, including:

  • structural steel, supports and framing
  • complex pipework, conveyors, fittings
  • terrain, civil features and existing utilities
  • machinery layout, clearances, and tie-in points

The result: a complete, millimetre-accurate digital record of your site’s geometry — ideal for analysis, retrofits, expansions or maintenance.

Discover our full capabilities here: 3D Laser Scanning
https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/home/3d-lidar-scanning-digital-quality-assurance/3d-laser-scanning/

For Townsville clients, this means fewer shutdowns, safer project planning, faster fabrication, and minimized risk of unexpected clashes or construction rework.

From Point Cloud to Precision — 3D Modelling, Drafting & Engineering

Once the scan is complete and point-cloud data processed, we build intelligent 3D models and fabrication-ready documentation:

  • mechanical and structural CAD models (existing and proposed)
  • general arrangement (GA), detailed drawings, isometrics and BOMs
  • clash detection and interference checking before fabrication or retrofit
  • layout optimisation for workflow, maintenance access, and safety compliance
  • digital archives for future maintenance or expansion

For heavy-duty environments such as port facilities, refineries, warehouses, defence-related infrastructure or mining supply workshops — having accurate 3D models eliminates costly guesswork and supports efficient execution.

In short: we give you digital twins, not just drawings.

Engineering Support for Townsville’s Key Industries

Townsville’s industrial profile spans mining, export logistics, maritime, defence, metals processing and large-scale fabrication — each with its own engineering demands.

Hamilton By Design offers:

  • structural assessments (platforms, supports, frames, foundations) for retrofits or new installations
  • mechanical layout and alignment design (conveyors, cranes, heavy equipment, storage systems)
  • load, stress and fatigue analysis (FEA) for steelwork, pressure equipment, supports or chassis
  • piping, chute or conveyor design and re-routing for upgrading plants or refineries
  • compliance documentation and fabrication-ready drawings ready for procurement, tendering or regulatory approval

Whether you’re upgrading a shipping-container terminal, expanding a warehouse, installing new refinery modules, building maintenance workshops for mining machinery, or constructing support facilities for defence or export operations — our engineering-led workflow ensures you build right the first time.

Streamlined Workflow — From Scan to Delivery, One Trusted Partner

One common problem for regional projects is coordinating between multiple service providers — surveyors, draftspeople, engineers, fabricators — which often leads to miscommunication, delays, or misaligned deliverables.

Hamilton By Design offers a single-source bundle:

  1. 3D LiDAR site scan
  2. Point-cloud data processing and registration
  3. 3D CAD modelling
  4. Engineering assessment and design
  5. Fabrication-ready drafting and documentation
  6. Digital QA and delivery

We handle everything — you get consistent quality, clear responsibility, and projects that move smoothly from concept to construction.

Real-World Use Cases for Townsville Clients

Port Expansion & Upgrade Projects

As the Port of Townsville expands and modernises to handle larger cargo, new cranes, heavier loads and increased throughput, accurate 3D scans and structural/foundation assessments are critical. Our scanning + modelling + design services ensure new installations fit existing layouts perfectly, avoid clashes, and meet structural integrity and safety standards.

Mining Supply, Maintenance & Fabrication Workshops

Supporting the North-West mining region means heavy machinery maintenance, parts fabrication, and workshop upgrades. Accurate laser scans and CAD models allow fabricators to pre-validate alignments, clearances, and fit-outs before steel is cut.

Defence Infrastructure & Facility Upgrades

With the presence of large defence bases and logistics hubs, upgrades, extensions, or refurbishments often demand strict compliance and precise structural layouts. Our end-to-end digital engineering approach ensures regulations, load requirements, and integration requirements are met without surprises.

Industrial Refineries & Metals Processing Plants

Whether it’s zinc, copper or other metals processing, heavy-duty installations often include pipework, structural supports, conveyors, and complex layout constraints — perfect candidates for digital twin creation, clash detection, and fabrication-ready design.

Multi-use Warehouses, Logistics Hubs & Fabrication Yards

As Townsville grows, so does demand for supply-chain infrastructure. For logistics hubs and fabrication yards, accurate site scans and 3D planning streamline material flow, design logistics, safety compliance, and maintenance scheduling.

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Why Townsville — and Hamilton By Design — Is a Winning Combination

Townsville is uniquely placed as a northern Australia hub that supports mining, port exports, defence, fabrication, metallurgy and logistics — all under a tropical but manageable climate. That diversity means clients across sectors demand precision, reliability and best-practice engineering.

Hamilton By Design is ready to deliver just that — combining modern 3D laser scanning, smart CAD modelling, thorough engineering discipline and fabrication-ready design in one seamless package.

If you’re operating in Townsville or servicing projects across North Queensland — whether mining supply, port infrastructure, fabrication yards, defence facilities, metal processing, or logistics hubs — we’re equipped to support your next project, reduce risk, and deliver results on time and on spec.

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Mackay’s Industrial Edge

Mackay’s Industrial Edge — How 3D LiDAR, Modern Engineering & Digital Modelling Supercharge Regional Projects

Located on the tropical Queensland coast but powering heavy industry, mining support and agricultural logistics, Mackay stands as a unique regional powerhouse. With its massive sugar industry, proximity to the Bowen Basin coalfields, thriving fabrication sector, marine and port operations — plus a growing push toward industrial expansion — the city’s infrastructure demands are both diverse and complex.

At Hamilton By Design, we recognise that projects in Mackay need more than “old-school” drawings or rough-site surveys. That’s why we offer state-of-the-art 3D LiDAR laser scanning, comprehensive mechanical and structural engineering, advanced 3D modelling, and fabrication-ready drafting — all designed to meet Mackay’s rigorous industrial, mining-support and agricultural demands.

If you’re planning an upgrade to a processing facility, expanding a plant or fabricating complex steelwork, our services ensure precision, efficiency and reliability from start to finish.

Why Mackay Is a Perfect Fit for Digital Engineering & 3D Scanning

Mackay’s blend of industries — sugar mills, mining, fabrication, marine, port logistics and heavy machinery — means that most facilities are a patchwork of legacy infrastructure, ongoing modifications and high-demand production cycles.

That brings challenges like:

  • undocumented pipework, conveyors or structural changes;
  • tight tolerances for retrofits or new installations;
  • heavy mechanical equipment requiring accurate alignment and structural support;
  • short windows for shutdowns or maintenance;
  • mixed use of fabrication, mining-grade components, and agricultural processing equipment.

For these reasons, the old ways of tape-measure site surveys and manual sketches are often not enough.

Enter 3D LiDAR scanning. By capturing the entire facility geometry with millimetre-level accuracy, you get a complete digital “as-built” record — capturing everything from structural steel, ductwork, conveyors, foundations, and terrain, to existing equipment and utilities.

Through Hamilton By Design’s professional scanning services, Mackay clients receive real-world data that supports safer, faster and more accurate project planning, design and fabrication.

From Point Cloud to Precision Design: 3D Modelling & Drafting

Once your site is scanned, our team converts the raw scan data into intelligent 3D CAD models — delivering:

  • accurate mechanical and structural layouts;
  • fabrication-ready drawings (GA, detail drawings, isometrics, BOMs);
  • clash detection and interference checking before fabrication starts;
  • easy visualisation for stakeholders, clients and contractors;
  • digital archives for future modifications or maintenance.

This kind of precision work dramatically reduces risk — especially for brownfield sites or mixed-use facilities common in Mackay’s industrial sector.

Engineering Support Built for Mackay’s Key Industries

Whether it’s a sugar mill retrofit, mining support workshop, marine fabrication yard, or industrial workshop expansion — the range of engineering challenges in Mackay is enormous. Hamilton By Design brings specialist mechanical and structural engineering expertise to the table, offering:

  • structural assessments (supports, platforms, load-bearing frames, foundations)
  • alignment and vibration analysis for conveyors, heavy machinery, pumps
  • design of new equipment layouts, piping, ducting and supports
  • fatigue, stress and load-bearing analysis (FEA) when needed
  • compliance-ready drawings and design documentation for local regulations and safety standards

This level of engineering support is often critical for projects involving heavy loads, mining-grade equipment, or large-scale fabrication — exactly the types of projects abundant across Mackay.

3D LiDAR Laser Scanning — The Game Changer for Mackay Projects

Especially when plants are being upgraded, new modules added, or older sites refurbished, accurate spatial data is the foundation for success.

Our 3D LiDAR laser scanning service ensures:

  • complete, precise capture of existing site geometry — steelwork, structure, terrain, utilities;
  • minimal site downtime — faster capture than manual survey;
  • safer field operations (less need for manual measurements in active plants);
  • high-fidelity base for design, modelling and fabrication;
  • better coordination between contractors, fabricators and engineers.

Learn more about our 3D LiDAR services here: https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/home/3d-lidar-scanning-digital-quality-assurance/3d-laser-scanning/

For a city like Mackay — with fast-paced industrial demand, tight tolerances, and high-volume production — this technology isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential.

One Integrated Workflow: From Scan to Delivery

What sets Hamilton By Design apart is our seamless, end-to-end service:

  1. Conduct 3D LiDAR scan of the facility or site
  2. Process point-cloud data and clean up for modelling
  3. Build detailed 3D CAD models — mechanical, structural, architectural
  4. Perform engineering assessments, structural/ mechanical analysis or modifications as needed
  5. Produce fabrication-ready drawings and documentation
  6. Provide digital reports, QA data and as-built records for the client

Having a single point of accountability — scan, model, engineer, deliver — reduces miscommunication, avoids rework and ensures that every part of the project is aligned, documented, and traceable.

Hamilton By Design logo displayed on a blue tilted rectangle with a grey gradient background

Why Mackay Businesses Should Use Hamilton By Design

Whether you’re running a sugar mill, a fabrication workshop servicing Bowen Basin mines, a workshop for heavy equipment repairs, or a marine engineering facility servicing port exports — Mackay’s industrial landscape is complex.

By using cutting-edge 3D laser scanning, accurate modelling, and expert engineering, Hamilton By Design helps you:

  • save time and money on site surveys;
  • avoid costly rework from inaccurate measurements;
  • ensure tighter tolerances, safer installations and compliance;
  • speed up design, fabrication and installation;
  • maintain digital records for ongoing maintenance or future upgrades.

For industries in Mackay that deal with heavy loads, tight schedules, and high-volume production — this is a competitive advantage.

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Rockhampton a Unique Environment for Engineering

Why Rockhampton Is a Unique Environment for Engineering & Digital Technology

Rockhampton stands out for several reasons that directly influence how engineering and design work is executed in the region.

1. A City at the Centre of Agriculture, Mining and Defence

Few regional cities in Australia support as many sectors simultaneously:

  • cattle production & feedlots
  • abattoirs and food-processing plants
  • mining workflow (Bowen Basin)
  • fabrication and workshop environments
  • major road & rail logistics
  • defence operations at Shoalwater Bay

This diversity creates an environment where brownfield projects, plant upgrades and operational changes are constant — and where accurate digital engineering is invaluable.

2. A Heritage-Rich Built Environment

Rockhampton’s colonial architecture and historic precincts add engineering complexity, especially for:

  • renovation and extension planning
  • capturing building geometry
  • ensuring compliance during upgrades
  • modelling concealed or irregular structures

Accurate scanning and modelling reduce the risks associated with modifying older buildings.

3. A Rapidly Growing Industrial Corridor

With expansions across Gracemere, Parkhurst and the Port Alma supply chain, Rockhampton is strengthening its role as a:

  • fabrication hub
  • transport distribution centre
  • industrial service precinct

Digital engineering ensures these facilities deliver maximum efficiency with minimal downtime.

3D LiDAR Laser Scanning: Rockhampton’s Path to More Accurate, Data-Driven Projects

One of the biggest challenges in Central Queensland is managing complexity in brownfield industrial environments: tight tie-in points, undocumented modifications, legacy equipment, unknown clearances and misaligned plant sections.

This is exactly where 3D LiDAR scanning becomes a game-changing tool.

Hamilton By Design uses engineering-grade scanning to produce:

  • complete as-built environments
  • millimetre-accurate spatial data
  • structural geometry and deflection insights
  • clash detection for new installations
  • alignment checks for equipment
  • precise digital documentation for tendering and fabrication

Learn more about our scanning process here:
3D Laser Scanning – https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/home/3d-lidar-scanning-digital-quality-assurance/3d-laser-scanning/

For Rockhampton industries, the value is immediate:

  • reduced rework and fewer shutdown overruns
  • accurate fit-up when fabricators install new components
  • better engineering decisions based on real data
  • faster turnaround for designs and feasibility planning

From abattoirs to feed mills, mining workshops to energy infrastructure, LiDAR scanning ensures every project begins with precise, reliable site information.

3D Modelling & Drafting: Turning Reality Into Intelligent Engineering Models

Once the point cloud is captured, Hamilton By Design transforms the data into:

  • SolidWorks parts and assemblies
  • mechanical models for plant upgrades
  • fabrication-ready drawings (GA, detail, isometric & BOMs)
  • structural models for platforms, supports, conveyors and frames
  • mechanical layout concepts and optimisation studies

For Rockhampton businesses, this is particularly valuable because:

  • fabrication teams rely on correct geometry
  • shutdown windows are small
  • misaligned or undocumented equipment is common
  • design changes often must occur quickly

With 3D modelling, plant owners, contractors and fabricators can visualise the project before steel is cut — dramatically improving accuracy and reducing cost.

Mechanical Engineering for Rockhampton’s Industrial & Agricultural Sectors

Rockhampton’s diverse economy means the region is constantly upgrading:

  • processing plants
  • abattoirs
  • feed mills
  • grain-handling systems
  • water-treatment infrastructure
  • conveyor systems
  • workshops and industrial machinery

Hamilton By Design provides engineering support such as:

  • mechanical design for new or upgraded equipment
  • structural assessments on frames, platforms, chutes and conveyors
  • vibration, deflection and alignment analysis
  • flow optimisation for materials-handling systems
  • FEA (Finite Element Analysis) for components and assemblies
  • lifting, access and maintenance design

Our engineer-led workflow ensures that every design is based on reality — captured by LiDAR and validated through modelling and analysis.

How Digital Engineering Helps Rockhampton’s Key Industries

1. Beef Processing & Agri-Food Operations

Rockhampton’s processing facilities are often complex, space-constrained and continuously operating.

Scanning assists with:

  • plant upgrades
  • layout efficiency studies
  • tie-in accuracy for new conveyors or equipment
  • compliance documentation

2. Bowen Basin Mining Support

Rockhampton is a major hub for:

  • mining contractors
  • fabrication workshops
  • equipment repair
  • maintenance logistics

LiDAR scanning and engineering reduce rework in fabricated components destined for:

  • Moranbah
  • Blackwater
  • Middlemount
  • Dysart and surrounding mines

3. Industrial Precincts & Port Supply Chains

Industrial estates across Parkhurst and Gracemere benefit from:

  • warehouse fit-outs
  • crane runway checks
  • processing-line layout design
  • mechanical and structural upgrades

4. Heritage & Architectural Redevelopment

Scanning enables:

  • accurate modelling of old buildings
  • conflict detection for new internal services
  • façade preservation planning

No risk of relying on inaccurate tape-measure surveys.

A Fully Integrated Workflow: Scan → Model → Engineer → Deliver

One of the biggest advantages Hamilton By Design provides to Rockhampton businesses is single-source accountability.

Our streamlined process includes:

  1. 3D LiDAR scanning of the site
  2. Processing & registering point-cloud data
  3. SolidWorks modelling of the environment
  4. Engineering assessments & calculations
  5. Fabrication-ready drawings
  6. Digital QA for installation

There’s no handover between scanning companies, designers and engineers — everything is delivered by one team, reducing miscommunication and improving project outcomes.

Rockhampton’s Future Is Digital — And We’re Ready to Support It

Rockhampton is experiencing a period of sustained growth driven by agriculture, mining, defence and industrial expansion. As facilities upgrade and capacity increases, accurate engineering data, digital design tools and advanced scanning technology will be central to delivering smarter, safer and more efficient projects.

Hamilton By Design logo displayed on a blue tilted rectangle with a grey gradient background

Hamilton By Design is proud to support Central Queensland with:

  • 3D LiDAR laser scanning
  • Mechanical engineering consulting
  • 3D modelling and drafting
  • Digital documentation and quality assurance

Whether you’re planning an upgrade to a processing plant, modernising a workshop, designing a conveyor system or documenting an entire facility, our engineering-led team provides the precision and reliability your project needs.

Our Clients

Name
Would you like us to arrange a phone consultation for you?