SOLIDWORKS Sydney – Structural & Mechanical Detailing Powered by FARO Scanning
In today’s mining and manufacturing environments, the biggest challenge is not modelling—it’s getting accurate, usable data to model from.
Traditionally, structural and mechanical detailing relied on:
- Old drawings
- Site measurements
- Assumptions
- Rework
That approach is slow, risky, and often wrong.
Today, the process has changed.
With FARO laser scanning, the design process starts with reality—not assumptions.
The Problem with Traditional Detailing
Structural and mechanical detailing has always been the bridge between:
- Engineering intent
- Fabrication
- Construction
Accurate detailing is critical because it converts design into buildable outcomes.
But when the input data is wrong:
- Steel doesn’t fit
- Equipment clashes
- Shutdowns blow out
- Costs increase
This is where most projects fail—not in design, but in data quality.
FARO Scanning Changes the Starting Point
FARO laser scanners allow us to capture:
- Existing structures
- Mechanical equipment
- Complex plant layouts
In full 3D, with millimetre-level accuracy.
Instead of guessing, we start with:
A complete digital representation of the site (point cloud)
This immediately removes:
- Manual measurement errors
- Missing geometry
- Site re-visits
From Scan to SOLIDWORKS – A Simplified Workflow
The real power of FARO is not just scanning—it’s how it simplifies everything that follows.
Step 1 – Capture Reality (FARO Scanner)
- Full plant captured in hours, not days
- No reliance on outdated drawings
- Complete coverage of structural and mechanical systems
Step 2 – Process & Validate (Point Cloud)
- Clean, registered dataset
- Verified alignment
- Engineering-grade accuracy
➡️ You now have trusted data before design even starts
Step 3 – Engineer in SOLIDWORKS
With accurate point cloud data:
- Structural members can be modelled directly against real geometry
- Mechanical systems can be aligned correctly first time
- Retrofit and brownfield design becomes practical
SOLIDWORKS enables parametric modelling of structures and assemblies, allowing engineers to build accurate, configurable models for fabrication and analysis.
➡️ No more “best guess” modelling
Step 4 – Automated Detailing & Drawings
Once the model is correct:
- Drawings are generated directly from the model
- Quantities, cut lists, and BOMs are created automatically
- Revisions are managed within the same environment
Modern detailing tools inside SOLIDWORKS can automate drawing creation, naming, and documentation, significantly reducing manual work and errors.
➡️ This is where FARO really pays off:
Correct model = correct drawings = correct build
Why FARO Simplifies the Design Process
1. Eliminates Rework at the Source
You are no longer designing from:
- Assumptions
- Incomplete data
You are designing from:
Verified, real-world geometry
2. Reduces Design Time
- No repeated site visits
- No manual measurement
- No “fix it later” modelling
➡️ Faster progression from concept → detail
3. Improves Coordination
Structural and mechanical systems are:
- Modelled together
- Checked against reality
- Verified before fabrication
4. Enables True Brownfield Engineering
Mining and manufacturing sites are rarely new.
They involve:
- Modifications
- Unknown changes
- Legacy infrastructure
FARO scanning allows:
Accurate as-built modelling of existing assets
5. Delivers Fabrication-Ready Outcomes
With the right workflow:
- Steel detailing
- Mechanical integration
- Conveyor and plant upgrades
All become:
Buildable, not conceptual
FARO vs Traditional “Scan and Dump”
Many providers:
- Capture data
- Export a file
- Walk away
The result:
- STL / mesh files
- No engineering value
- No integration into design
At Hamilton By Design:
We use FARO as part of an engineering workflow—not a standalone service
Engineer-Led Approach
We don’t just scan—we:
- Validate data
- Model in SOLIDWORKS
- Produce fabrication drawings
- Deliver engineering outcomes
Final Thought
FARO laser scanning doesn’t just improve accuracy.
It fundamentally changes the design process:
From
Measuring → Guessing → Fixing
To
Scanning → Engineering → Building
Call to Action
If your project involves:
- Existing plant
- Structural upgrades
- Mechanical integration
- Brownfield design
Then the question isn’t:
“Do we model this?”
It’s:
“Why are we not scanning this first?”
