Staying Ahead in Australian Manufacturing: Engineering Governance That Wins Work

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Engineering Governance for Australian Manufacturing | Hamilton By Design

Australian manufacturing operates in one of the most demanding commercial environments in the world.

High labour costs.
Tight compliance obligations.
Complex global supply chains.
Zero tolerance for engineering error.

You cannot compete in Australia on cheap labour.

You compete on precision, governance, and control.

At Hamilton By Design, we assist Australian manufacturers in staying ahead of their competition by building structured digital engineering ecosystems โ€” aligning product data, drawing control, change management, and multi-CAD environments into one governed framework.


The Hidden Risk in Most Engineering Workflows

Many organisations still rely on:

  • Spreadsheet-based Bills of Materials
  • Drawings stored on shared drives
  • Manual revision tracking
  • Email-driven approvals
  • Disconnected CAD and ERP systems
  • Mixed CAD environments with no central governance

This creates commercial exposure:

  • Ordering parts to the wrong revision
  • Manufacturing from outdated drawings
  • Duplicate data entry
  • No structured audit trail
  • No lifecycle visibility
  • Confusion across different CAD formats

In Australia, where labour and rework costs are high, this is not sustainable.


Infographic illustrating engineering governance maturity model with revision control, lifecycle management and multi-CAD integration.

Structured Product Data Management

A modern engineering business requires centralised control of product structure.

We help implement systems that provide:

  • Controlled Bills of Materials
  • Clear ownership of product data
  • Structured approval workflows
  • Role-based permissions
  • Alignment between engineering, procurement and operations

When product structure is governed correctly:

  • Procurement orders accurately
  • Engineering changes are visible
  • Production builds from approved data
  • Directors gain commercial clarity

This replaces spreadsheet chaos with structured control.


Engineering Governance & Revision Discipline

Drawing control is not just administration โ€” it is commercial risk management.

A governed environment provides:

  • Controlled revisions
  • Defined lifecycle states (In Work โ†’ Released โ†’ Superseded)
  • Formal engineering change processes
  • Complete revision history
  • Secure 24/7 cloud access
  • A single source of truth

This ensures:

  • No one works from outdated documentation
  • Changes are traceable and auditable
  • Compliance is supported
  • Intellectual property is protected

Engineering governance reduces mistakes โ€” and in Australia, mistakes are expensive.


Supporting a Wide Range of CAD Data

Modern manufacturers rarely operate on a single CAD platform.

You may be working with:

  • Native mechanical CAD files
  • 3D assemblies
  • 2D drawings
  • STEP, IGES or neutral formats
  • Scan-to-CAD data
  • Legacy models
  • Supplier-generated geometry

Hamilton By Design supports a wide range of CAD data environments and helps bring them under structured governance.

We assist in:

  • Managing multi-CAD environments
  • Standardising revision structures across platforms
  • Ensuring neutral formats are controlled
  • Aligning scanned or reverse-engineered data with formal release processes
  • Protecting geometry integrity across supply chains

Engineering governance must extend across all CAD formats โ€” not just one system.


Leveling Up Engineering Governance

Many organisations are operating at a basic level of digital maturity.

Leveling up means:

  • Moving from file storage to lifecycle control
  • Moving from version confusion to structured revision discipline
  • Moving from email approvals to controlled workflows
  • Moving from reactive fixes to proactive governance

This is about increasing engineering maturity.

It is about embedding discipline into digital systems.

It is about reducing risk before it becomes rework.


Why the Combination Matters

When product structure control, drawing revision management, and multi-CAD governance are aligned:

  • Bills of Materials reflect released revisions
  • Engineering changes flow through structured pathways
  • ERP and procurement operate from validated data
  • Manufacturing builds from controlled documentation
  • Management gains visibility and confidence

This is not just software implementation.

This is engineering governance embedded into your organisation.


The Australian Advantage

Australian manufacturers succeed through:

  • Reliability
  • Traceability
  • Reduced rework
  • Faster implementation of change
  • Strong governance
  • Protected intellectual property

Governance becomes a competitive advantage.


How Hamilton By Design Assists

We work with Australian manufacturers to:

  • Review current engineering workflows
  • Audit drawing and revision practices
  • Implement structured governance frameworks
  • Align engineering data with ERP and operations
  • Integrate multiple CAD platforms under one disciplined structure
  • Support digital uplift and maturity growth

We do not just provide engineering services.

We provide intellectual structure and digital discipline.


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The Outcome

When engineering governance is elevated:

  • Rework reduces
  • Procurement errors decline
  • Teams move faster
  • Compliance strengthens
  • Profit margins improve

If your organisation is still relying on shared drives and spreadsheets to manage engineering data, it may be time to level up.

Hamilton By Design โ€” Engineering Governance for Competitive Advantage in Australian Manufacturing.


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The Hidden Problem in Most Workshops

Illustration showing CAD models automatically generating manufacturing orders in a digital factory workflow.

Many manufacturers invest heavily in CAD modelling, yet the moment a drawing is finished someone still has to manually re-enter the same information into purchasing, inventory, or scheduling systems.

That means:

  • Part numbers typed again
  • Quantities re-counted
  • Materials guessed or re-checked
  • Work orders manually created

Every manual step introduces delay and risk.
The drawing may be correct โ€” but the data isnโ€™t trusted.

At Hamilton By Design, we specialise in converting engineering design information into operational manufacturing data so your workshop runs from a single source of truth.


Engineering workflow transforming design drawings into live MRP production data.

What We Mean by โ€œRaw CAD Dataโ€

Raw CAD data typically contains far more intelligence than most businesses actually use:

  • Assembly structures
  • Component relationships
  • Material specifications
  • Mass & geometry
  • Fasteners & hardware
  • Configuration variations

Yet in many businesses, this intelligence is flattened into a PDF before production ever sees it.

The result?
Your ERP/MRP system becomes an administrative burden rather than an automation tool.


Turning CAD into Live MRP

We implement a workflow where the model drives the factory โ€” not paperwork.

Step 1 โ€” Data Structuring

We prepare your CAD models so every component carries meaningful manufacturing information:

  • Standardised naming conventions
  • Manufacturing classifications
  • Purchasing categories
  • Stock vs made items

Step 2 โ€” Bill of Materials Extraction

Instead of manually writing BOMs, they are generated directly from the model.

No re-typing.
No missed fasteners.
No version confusion.

Step 3 โ€” Live MRP Integration

The structured data feeds directly into your MRP system to automatically create:

  • Work orders
  • Material requirements
  • Purchase orders
  • Scheduling demand
  • Inventory reservations

Now your planning team works with live engineering data โ€” not interpreted drawings.


What This Changes Inside Your Business

Once CAD and MRP talk to each other, the workflow shifts dramatically.

Traditional WorkflowIntegrated Workflow
Draw โ†’ Print โ†’ Interpret โ†’ Re-enterModel โ†’ Validate โ†’ Manufacture
Planner guesses requirementsSystem calculates requirements
Revisions cause chaosRevisions update automatically
Production waits on adminProduction follows live data

The Real Value โ€” Engineering Becomes Operational

Your CAD system stops being a documentation tool and becomes the control system of the workshop.

This delivers measurable outcomes:

  • Reduced purchasing mistakes
  • Faster quoting
  • Accurate scheduling
  • Live material forecasting
  • Reliable cost tracking
  • Scalable production

Most importantly โ€” your team stops double handling information.


How Hamilton By Design Helps

We donโ€™t sell software โ€” we implement workflows.

Our team works between engineering and operations to:

  • Audit your current drawing workflow
  • Structure your CAD standards
  • Build automated BOM generation
  • Integrate with your MRP platform
  • Train staff in daily use
  • Support ongoing improvements

The goal is simple:
Design once. Manufacture confidently.


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Ready to Turn Drawings into Production?

If your workshop is still manually converting drawings into orders, the problem isnโ€™t your people โ€” itโ€™s the data flow.

Hamilton By Design helps manufacturers move from documents to systems.

Contact us to discuss turning your raw CAD data into live MRP data.

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Identifying Fastener Threads in the Field

Metric vs American vs British Threads โ€” and the Australian Standards That Govern Them

In maintenance workshops and brownfield sites, one of the most common hidden problems is not bolt strength โ€” it is thread identification.

Equipment imported from the USA, Europe and the UK often ends up assembled together on Australian sites.
The bolts may look identical.
They may even screw together.

But they are not interchangeable.

Incorrect thread matching damages load capacity, prevents correct preload, and leads to loosening, fatigue cracking and eventual failure.

This guide explains the major fastening thread systems encountered in Australia (excluding pipe threads), how to recognise them, and the Australian Standards that apply.


1. The Three Fastener Thread Systems

There are three main fastening thread families encountered in mechanical and structural equipment:

SystemOriginThread AngleTypical Location
Metric ISOAustralia / Europe / modern equipment60ยฐMost modern machinery
Unified (UNC/UNF)USA60ยฐMining & imported plant
Whitworth (BSW/BSF/BA)UK / older Commonwealth55ยฐOlder equipment & legacy machinery

Even though UNC and Metric share a 60ยฐ angle, the pitch is different โ€” therefore they are not compatible.

Whitworth threads are particularly problematic because they will partially screw into metric or UNC holes before binding.


2. Metric Threads (ISO Metric โ€” Australian Standard Fasteners)

These are the primary fastening threads used in Australia.

(Coarse pitch series)

SizeMajor DiameterPitchMinor Diameter (approx)
M66.0 mm1.04.8 mm
M88.0 mm1.256.5 mm
M1010.0 mm1.58.2 mm
M1212.0 mm1.759.9 mm
M1616.0 mm2.013.8 mm
M2020.0 mm2.517.3 mm
M2424.0 mm3.020.8 mm

Fine pitch versions also exist for vibration and adjustment applications.

Typical Uses

  • Structural steel connections
  • Machinery assembly
  • Guards and access platforms
  • General engineering

3. Unified American Threads (UNC / UNF)

Common on imported mining and mobile equipment.

UNC โ€“ Coarse

SizeMajor DiameterPitch
1/4-206.35 mm1.27 mm
3/8-169.53 mm1.59 mm
1/2-1312.70 mm1.95 mm
3/4-1019.05 mm2.54 mm
1-825.40 mm3.18 mm

UNF โ€“ Fine

Used where vibration resistance is required.

Key Characteristic
UNC bolts will often start threading into metric holes but will not achieve correct preload.


4. British Threads (Whitworth Form)

Recognised by their 55ยฐ thread angle.

BSW โ€“ Coarse

SizeMajor DiameterPitch
1/4 BSW6.35 mm1.34 mm
3/8 BSW9.53 mm1.59 mm
1/2 BSW12.70 mm2.12 mm
3/4 BSW19.05 mm2.54 mm

BSF โ€“ Fine

Used historically in machinery.

BA Threads

Small instrumentation and electrical fasteners.

Typical Location

  • Pre-1980 plant
  • UK imported machinery
  • Electrical equipment

Why Incorrect Thread Matching Causes Failures

Threads do not primarily carry shear load โ€” they generate preload.

If pitch or angle differs:

  • preload is reduced
  • flank contact is uneven
  • joint loosens under vibration
  • fatigue cracking begins

Many failures blamed on vibration are actually incorrect thread engagement.


Field Identification Tips

ObservationLikely Thread
Marked M12Metric
Fraction size (1/2, 3/4)UNC/UNF or Whitworth
Smooth but tight engagementWrong pitch
Binds after 2 turnsWhitworth vs Metric

Thread gauge confirmation is always recommended.


Australian Standards Relating to Fastener Threads

Metric Thread Geometry

AS 1721 โ€” General purpose metric screw threads
AS 1275 โ€” Metric screw threads for fasteners

Fastener Product Standards

AS 1110 โ€” Metric hex bolts and screws
AS 1111 โ€” Commercial hex bolts and screws
AS 1112 โ€” Hexagon nuts
AS 1420 โ€” Socket head cap screws

Mechanical Properties

AS/NZS 4291.1 โ€” Mechanical properties of bolts, screws and studs
AS/NZS 4291.2 โ€” Mechanical properties of nuts
ISO 898-1 / ISO 898-2 โ€” Adopted strength properties
ISO 3506 โ€” Stainless steel fasteners

Structural Bolting

AS/NZS 1252 โ€” High strength structural bolting assemblies
AS 4100 โ€” Steel structures design
AS/NZS 5131 โ€” Fabrication and erection of structural steel

Coatings and Fit Allowances

AS/NZS 1214 โ€” Galvanised coatings on threaded fasteners
AS/NZS 4680 โ€” Hot dip galvanising
AS 2312.2 โ€” Corrosion protection guide
AS 1897 โ€” Electroplated coatings

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Managing โ€œLoader Kneeโ€ While Operating a Chainsaw Safely

Managing Loader Knee & Chainsaw Use โ€“ Work Safely in Australia

Years spent climbing in and out of loaders, dozers, and haul trucks can leave many operators with what is commonly called โ€œloader knee.โ€ It isnโ€™t a single diagnosis โ€” rather a collection of knee problems caused by repetitive climbing, whole-body vibration, and long hours in fixed seated positions.

For people who also need to use a chainsaw โ€” on a mine site, rural property, or maintenance role โ€” loader knee can become a serious safety risk. Chainsaw work demands balance, stable footing, and quick reactions. The good news is that with the right approach, many people can continue to work safely.

Why Loader Knee and Chainsaws Donโ€™t Mix Easily

Chainsaw operation places unique demands on the lower body:

  • Knees remain slightly bent for long periods
  • Weight shifts constantly between legs
  • The operator must react instantly to kickback or timber movement
  • Work often occurs on uneven ground with vibration through the arms and body

If loader knee has caused instability, pain, or reduced strength, these demands can increase the likelihood of a slip, loss of control, or secondary injury.


Infographic showing how to manage loader knee while operating a chainsaw safely with warnings, safe work methods and functional assessment steps.

Step 1 โ€“ Recognise the Early Warning Signs

Do not push through symptoms when a running saw is in your hands. Stop immediately if you experience:

  • Knee giving way or locking
  • Sharp pain when weight bearing
  • Swelling during the task
  • Reduced ability to squat or step sideways
  • Numbness or altered sensation down the leg

Finishing โ€œone last cutโ€ is how many incidents occur.


Step 2 โ€“ Make the Task Safer Before You Start

Engineering and Equipment Controls

  • Work at bench height using saw horses or log stands rather than ground felling
  • Choose a low-vibration chainsaw with a well-maintained sharp chain
  • Use anti-vibration gloves and supportive footwear
  • Avoid slopes, loose ground, and awkward reaches
  • Keep cutting zones close to waist height where possible

Administrative Controls

  • Limit cutting to 15โ€“20 minute blocks with rest breaks
  • Rotate to non-chainsaw duties
  • Use a second person for large or unstable timber
  • Complete a short warm-up before starting

Personal Supports

  • Knee brace with lateral support if recommended by a clinician
  • Strength program targeting quads, hamstrings, and glutes
  • Maintain healthy body weight to reduce joint load

Step 3 โ€“ Get the Right Type of Assessment

A general medical certificate often isnโ€™t enough. A functional capacity assessment should test the movements actually required for chainsaw work:

  • Holding a half-squat stance
  • Stepping sideways with a 5โ€“7 kg load
  • Recovering from a stumble
  • Tolerance to vibration
  • Repeated kneel-to-stand movements

This provides a realistic picture of whether the task is safe or needs modification.


Step 4 โ€“ Know When to Stop

Chainsaw use should cease โ€” temporarily or permanently โ€” if any of the following are present:

  • Recurrent knee collapse or instability
  • Inability to squat to approximately 70 degrees
  • Increasing swelling during work
  • Use of strong pain medication
  • Recent injections or acute injury

No production target is worth a life-changing accident.


Step 5 โ€“ Employer and Site Responsibilities

Under Australian WHS duties, a PCBU must ensure:

  • Task-specific risk assessments
  • Suitable duties or modified work
  • Review of vibration exposure
  • Access to occupational health support
  • Consideration of alternative methods such as pole saws or mechanical cutters

Managing loader knee is not just a personal issue โ€” it is a workplace safety obligation.


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A Practical Path Forward

Many experienced operators successfully continue chainsaw work by changing the way the task is done rather than ignoring the condition. The combination of smart engineering controls, realistic medical assessment, and sensible work planning keeps people productive and safe.

If you or your team need help developing:

  • Chainsaw SWMS and task risk assessments
  • Fitness-for-task guidance
  • Access and ergonomic improvements
  • Vibration exposure reviews

Hamilton By Design can assist with practical, site-focused solutions that protect both people and productivity.


Stay safe. Work smart. Look after your knees โ€” they still have plenty of shifts left in them.

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Why Would You 3D Scan Your Vehicle?

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Why 3D Scan Your Vehicle? Automotive 3D Scanning Explained

At first glance, 3D scanning a vehicle might sound like something reserved for manufacturers or motorsport teams. In reality, 3D vehicle scanning is becoming increasingly common for everyday automotive projects โ€” from restorations and modifications to verification, documentation, and future-proofing.

So why would someone invest in 3D scanning their vehicle? The answer is simple: accuracy, confidence, and better outcomes.


Turning a Car Into Data

A vehicle 3D scan captures millions of precise measurement points across the surface of a car or its components. This data forms a highly accurate digital model โ€” often called a point cloud โ€” which can then be used for CAD design, analysis, and fabrication.

Unlike manual measurement, 3D scanning:

  • Captures complex curves and surfaces
  • Eliminates guesswork
  • Creates a permanent digital record

Once scanned, your vehicle becomes a measurable digital asset, not just a physical object.


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1. Reverse Engineering Parts That No Longer Exist

One of the most common reasons people scan vehicles is to recreate parts that canโ€™t be bought anymore.

This is especially relevant for:

  • Classic and vintage cars
  • Imported vehicles
  • Low-production or discontinued models

With a 3D scan, components such as panels, brackets, housings, or trims can be accurately recreated or improved โ€” without relying on worn samples or rough measurements.


2. Custom Modifications That Fit First Time

Custom automotive work only works when parts fit exactly as intended.

People scan their vehicles to design:

  • Body kits, guards, and aero components
  • Custom exhausts and mounts
  • Roll cages and chassis modifications

3D scanning allows designers and fabricators to work from real vehicle geometry, significantly reducing rework, delays, and trial-and-error fitting.


3. Vehicle Restoration and Heritage Preservation

For restoration projects, 3D scanning provides a way to capture the vehicle before changes begin.

Benefits include:

  • Preserving original geometry
  • Recording factory alignment and clearances
  • Digitally archiving rare or historically significant vehicles

This approach is particularly valuable when restoring vehicles where originality and accuracy matter.


4. Accident Damage Assessment and Verification

Not all damage is visible to the naked eye.

After an accident, 3D scanning can:

  • Detect subtle deformation
  • Compare damaged areas against original geometry
  • Provide objective measurement data

This is useful for repair planning, insurance discussions, and verifying whether a vehicle has returned to its intended shape.


5. Motorsport and Performance Development

In motorsport and performance tuning, precision is everything.

Vehicles are scanned to:

  • Analyse body shape and aerodynamics
  • Design lightweight performance components
  • Validate compliance with regulations

3D scanning shortens development cycles and allows performance improvements to be based on measured reality, not assumptions.


6. Quality Control and Build Verification

For custom builds and low-volume manufacturing, scanning provides a way to check what was built against what was designed.

This helps:

  • Verify panel alignment
  • Confirm clearances
  • Identify deviations early

Itโ€™s an objective way to ensure quality and reduce risk before a vehicle is signed off or delivered.


7. Creating a Digital Twin of Your Vehicle

Some owners choose to scan their vehicle simply to create a digital twin โ€” a complete virtual representation of the car.

A digital twin can be used for:

  • Future modifications
  • Ongoing maintenance planning
  • Design work without touching the car

Once created, it becomes a long-term reference that adds value over the vehicleโ€™s lifetime.


8. Improving Collaboration Between Trades

Vehicle projects often involve multiple parties:

  • Owners
  • Engineers
  • Designers
  • Fabricators

A 3D scan ensures everyone works from the same accurate dataset, reducing miscommunication and costly mistakes.


9. Documentation, Insurance, and Peace of Mind

A 3D scan provides:

  • Timestamped evidence of vehicle condition
  • Objective, defensible measurement data
  • Clear documentation for high-value assets

This can be useful for insurance, resale, or engineering certification.


10. Future-Proofing Your Vehicle

Once scanned:

  • The vehicle never needs to be re-measured
  • Data can be reused indefinitely
  • Modifications become easier over time

Many people scan a vehicle once, then benefit from that data for years.


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The Real Reason People Scan Their Vehicles

People donโ€™t scan their vehicles because the technology looks impressive.

They scan them because it:

  • Saves time
  • Reduces risk
  • Improves accuracy
  • Leads to better decisions
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In short:

3D scanning transforms a vehicle from something you measure repeatedly into something you understand completely.


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SolidWorks Perth | Engineering-Led SolidWorks Drafting Services

Engineering-led SolidWorks drafting in Perth with 25 years of Hamilton By Design experience

If youโ€™re searching for SolidWorks Perth, youโ€™re likely looking for reliable SolidWorks drafting support that produces drawings and models that fabricate and install correctly โ€” not just CAD files that look good on screen.

Hamilton By Design provides engineer-led SolidWorks drafting services in Perth, supporting WA fabricators, contractors, and industrial operators with fabrication-ready documentation and practical engineering judgement.


Engineer-Led SolidWorks Drafting Support for Perth & WA Projects

Perth projects often involve brownfield assets, tight access, and programmes where mistakes turn into rework, delays, and cost. The biggest risk isnโ€™t โ€œcan we model it?โ€ โ€” itโ€™s whether the drawings reflect:

  • Site reality
  • Fabrication constraints
  • Tolerances and interfaces
  • Installation sequencing and access

Thatโ€™s why our SolidWorks drafting is engineering-led.


Who Engages SolidWorks Drafting Services in Perth

Perth clients commonly engage us when they need to:

  • Outsource SolidWorks drafting with engineering oversight
  • Update or recreate drawings that no longer match existing plant
  • Add drafting capacity during tenders, shutdowns, or project spikes
  • Produce workshop drawings that fabricators can build from
  • Reduce fit-up risk on modifications and upgrades

Many enquiries start as โ€œhire a SolidWorks drafter Perthโ€ โ€” but our service is built for clients who also want engineering judgement behind every drawing.


SolidWorks Drafting Services We Provide in Perth

Our Perth SolidWorks drafting support includes:

  • Mechanical part and assembly drafting
  • Fabrication-ready workshop drawings
  • Structural and support steel detailing (where applicable)
  • Upgrade and modification drawing packages
  • Reverse-engineered part drawings (from site data)
  • As-built documentation and drawing updates
  • CAD outputs suitable for fabrication workflows and project handover

All deliverables are created with fabrication and installation readiness in mind โ€” not just CAD accuracy.


Why Engineering-Led Drafting Matters

SolidWorks is a powerful platform, but CAD alone does not prevent project failure.

Engineering-led drafting helps Perth teams by:

  • Reducing tolerance and interface clashes before fabrication
  • Producing drawings that are clear and buildable under real constraints
  • Supporting tender-stage decisions with accurate documentation
  • Minimising rework and improving shutdown certainty

This approach is particularly valuable on brownfield and shutdown-critical works in WA.


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Need Extra Drafting Capacity? Secondment Available

If your Perth team needs extra drafting capacity integrated into your workflow, we also offer engineering-led secondment services.

Learn more about Secondment Services

Secondment is ideal for:

  • Fabricators scaling up for tenders
  • Project teams during peak design / drafting loads
  • Shutdown and brownfield upgrade packages requiring close coordination

Industries We Commonly Support Around Perth

We support SolidWorks drafting and engineering documentation for:

  • Mining services and resources contractors
  • Oil & gas / energy infrastructure
  • Fabrication and structural steel workshops
  • Ports, logistics, and bulk handling facilities
  • Manufacturing and industrial maintenance teams

Whether youโ€™re in Perth metro, Kwinana, Henderson, or supporting regional WA operations, we can deliver drafting support with clear scope and disciplined outputs.


Our clients:


How We Differ From Drafting-Only Providers

Many drafting vendors deliver CAD files but do not own fit-up risk.

Hamilton By Design provides:

  • Engineering ownership, not drafting in isolation
  • Fabrication-aware drawings aligned to real build constraints
  • Better interface clarity and reduced interpretation risk
  • Accountable outputs suited to procurement, fabrication, and installation

This is drafting designed to perform on site.


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Speak With an Engineer About SolidWorks Drafting in Perth

If youโ€™re looking for SolidWorks drafting support in Perth โ€” whether as a defined drafting package or embedded secondment โ€” letโ€™s talk early and reduce risk before fabrication begins.

Use the contact form below to discuss your Perth SolidWorks drafting requirements.

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Would you like us to arrange a phone consultation for you?
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https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/perth-wa
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https://www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au/perth-wa
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