Tag: 3D LiDAR

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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.

Our Clients

Name
Would you like us to arrange a phone consultation for you?
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3D Scanning & Engineering in Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay’s Coastal Advantage: How 3D LiDAR Scanning, Engineering & Digital Modelling Are Powering Smarter Regional Projects

Hervey Bay is known worldwide for its calm waters, iconic whale encounters and its role as the gateway to K’gari (Fraser Island). But behind the postcard coastline lies a fast-growing regional city with expanding infrastructure, marine industries, coastal engineering needs and ongoing urban development. As Hervey Bay continues to grow, so does its need for accurate mapping, reliable engineering and smarter digital-based project delivery.

Hamilton By Design is proud to support the region with 3D LiDAR laser scanning, mechanical and structural engineering services, 3D modelling and CAD drafting — tools that help reduce construction risk, improve upgrade planning, support marine and coastal infrastructure, and streamline fabrication and installation.

Whether you’re upgrading a jetty, renovating a foreshore asset, documenting a marina, expanding a workshop or designing new coastal facilities, our digital engineering approach ensures precision and confidence from the very beginning.

Why Hervey Bay Is a Unique Environment for Engineering & 3D Scanning

Hervey Bay stands apart from other Queensland cities because of its geographical protection, marine behaviour, ecological sensitivity and coastal development patterns. These unique conditions make accurate spatial data and robust engineering essential.

Here’s what sets the region apart:

1. Calm, Protected Waters Created by K’gari (Fraser Island)

Hervey Bay sits behind the world’s largest sand island, which shields the city from ocean swell. This rare geographic feature enables:

  • ideal boating and marine-access conditions
  • predictable marine construction windows
  • lower wave stress on coastal structures
  • consistent eco-tourism operations

Few places on earth have this natural barrier, making precise coastal modelling essential for designing long-life marine assets.

2. World-Famous Whale Nursery

Hervey Bay is the world’s first Whale Heritage Site, known for the behaviour of humpback whales who stop here with their calves.

Environmental sensitivity means many projects require:

  • accurate as-built documentation
  • ecological planning
  • digital modelling to minimise impacts
  • detailed engineering reports for compliance

3. Rapid Coastal Development and Urban Expansion

The region is one of Queensland’s fastest-growing coastal centres. New marinas, foreshore upgrades, residential developments and tourism infrastructure require accurate ground modelling and precise design.

4. A Strong Marine, Fabrication & Light-Industrial Sector

Slipways, fabrication yards, marine workshops and coastal civil contractors all depend on precise measurements and accurate drafting to minimise rework.

This mix of marine, civil and light-industry projects is exactly why 3D LiDAR scanning and digital engineering matter in Hervey Bay.

3D LiDAR Laser Scanning — The Foundation of Accurate Coastal & Industrial Projects

Coastal infrastructure often includes complex geometry, ageing assets, variable terrain and environmental constraints that make traditional surveying slow and unreliable. That’s where 3D LiDAR scanning becomes a game-changer.

Hamilton By Design provides high-accuracy scanning that captures:

  • marinas, jetties, pontoons and foreshore structures
  • workshops, fabrication sheds and industrial sites
  • terrain, drainage channels and coastal slopes
  • mechanical equipment, platforms and walkways
  • existing buildings for upgrades or conversions
  • complex pipework, tanks and utility lines

The result is a millimetre-accurate digital representation of your site — a data-rich foundation for design, clash detection, feasibility studies and fabrication planning.

Learn more about scanning capabilities here:
3D Laser Scanning

For Hervey Bay clients, this means:

  • fewer site visits
  • faster design turnaround
  • improved coordination between contractors
  • reduced rework and installation errors
  • clearer visualisation for approvals and planning

In a region where weather, tides and tourism windows matter, efficient and accurate design matters even more.

3D Modelling & Drafting — Turning Point Clouds into Build-Ready Designs

Once your site is scanned, Hamilton By Design transforms the data into full 3D CAD models and fabrication-ready drawings. This is essential for:

  • marine structures and coastal engineering
  • industrial and fabrication workshops
  • building upgrades or repurposing
  • mechanical equipment layout and installation
  • compliance and safety documentation

We deliver:

  • structural steel models
  • mechanical assemblies
  • GA and detail drawings
  • pipework and flow system layouts
  • workshop fit-outs
  • clash detection and interference checks
  • complete drawing packages with BOMs

In Hervey Bay, where many facilities evolve in stages over time — marinas, boating facilities, industrial sheds, tourist infrastructure — having an accurate digital model avoids expensive mistakes.

Engineering Services Tailored to Hervey Bay’s Coastal & Industrial Landscape

Hervey Bay’s engineering needs are shaped by:

  • coastal exposure
  • saltwater corrosion
  • tidal influences
  • marine loading
  • environmental sensitivity
  • ageing civil assets
  • strong fabrication and workshop activity

Hamilton By Design supports these needs with comprehensive mechanical and structural engineering including:

Mechanical Engineering

  • equipment layout and optimisation
  • marine-grade design modifications
  • conveyor, pump, motor and mechanical upgrades
  • fatigue and stress analysis
  • flow and process improvements

Structural Engineering

  • wharf and jetty modifications
  • platform and walkway design
  • structural integrity assessments
  • corrosion management & replacement design
  • footings, mounting and support structures
  • upgrades for load, access or compliance

Every project is grounded in real, verified site data, delivered through laser scanning.

Where Our Services Add the Most Value in Hervey Bay

1. Foreshore, Marina & Coastal Infrastructure Upgrades

Scanning provides exact geometry for:

  • seawalls
  • boardwalks
  • jetties
  • pontoons
  • boat ramps
  • retaining structures
  • marine-service assets

2. Workshop, Fabrication & Light-Industrial Facilities

Accurate capture of existing layouts helps:

  • optimise machinery placement
  • design new steelwork
  • eliminate fit-up errors
  • streamline fabrication

3. Tourism & Eco-Experience Infrastructure

Projects near sensitive environmental zones benefit from:

  • low-impact, non-intrusive scanning
  • terrain modelling
  • digital planning documentation

4. Council & Civil Infrastructure

LiDAR supports:

  • drainage upgrades
  • road and footpath modelling
  • structural assessments
  • coastal resilience planning

5. Building Renovations & Commercial Upgrades

Perfect for:

  • repurposed spaces
  • cafes, tourism centres, warehouses
  • multi-stage redevelopment projects

End-to-End Workflow for Bundaberg Projects

Hamilton By Design delivers a fully integrated service:

  1. 3D LiDAR scanning
  2. Point-cloud processing & accuracy verification
  3. 3D CAD modelling
  4. Mechanical & structural engineering
  5. Fabrication-ready drawings
  6. Digital QA & documentation

There’s one team, one workflow and one level of accountability — reducing delays, confusion and rework.

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

Hervey Bay’s Future Is Digital — And Hamilton By Design Is Ready

Hervey Bay is transforming. With coastal development, marina upgrades, eco-tourism expansion, workshop growth and rising residential infrastructure, the region needs accurate, digital, engineering-grade solutions more than ever.

Hamilton By Design is here to provide:

  • precision 3D LiDAR scanning
  • engineering for marine, civil and industrial facilities
  • 3D modelling and drafting
  • digital quality assurance
  • fabrication-ready deliverables

Whether you’re planning a new coastal asset, redesigning a workshop, improving a facility or upgrading existing infrastructure, our team ensures accuracy, safety and efficiency every step of the way.

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.

Our Clients

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