Manufacturing Layout Design Using SolidWorks and 3D Laser Scanning

Manufacturing layout design involves much more than drawing rectangles on a factory floor plan.

A practical layout must coordinate machinery, conveyors, services, structural constraints, operator access, maintenance clearances and material movement throughout the production facility.

Hamilton By Design provides manufacturing layout design services across Australia using 3D laser scanning, mechanical engineering and SolidWorks-based CAD modelling.

This approach allows proposed equipment and production-line changes to be reviewed within an accurate digital representation of the existing factory before fabrication or installation begins.

Manufacturing layout design in Australia showing a 3D laser-scanned factory, production lines, industrial equipment, conveyors and a FARO LiDAR scanner.

Why Use SolidWorks for Manufacturing Layout Design?

SolidWorks can be used to develop coordinated assemblies containing production machinery, conveyors, access structures, maintenance zones and surrounding factory geometry.

Rather than treating each machine as an isolated model, equipment can be assembled within a broader manufacturing layout to review how the complete production system fits together.

SolidWorks manufacturing layouts can support:

equipment arrangement
production-line planning
conveyor positioning
machinery relocation
factory expansion planning
maintenance-access reviews
operator-space assessment
installation sequencing
clash detection
supplier model coordination
general arrangement drawings
design-review presentations

The value is not simply the appearance of the model. The model becomes a practical engineering reference for design, fabrication, installation and future plant modifications.

Developing Layouts Around Existing Factory Conditions

Many existing factories have been modified over several years.

Machines may have been relocated, services added, platforms installed and building structures altered without the original drawings being updated.

Developing a new manufacturing layout from outdated drawings can create significant project risk.

Potential problems include:

new equipment conflicting with structural columns
insufficient overhead clearance
clashes with existing pipework
inadequate maintenance access
conveyor alignment problems
restricted lifting access
incomplete service information
insufficient installation space

Hamilton By Design can use engineering-grade 3D laser scanning to capture the actual factory environment before the SolidWorks layout is developed.

From Point Cloud to SolidWorks Layout

A terrestrial LiDAR scanner captures millions of measurable points throughout the factory.

Multiple scan positions are registered together to create a coordinated point cloud showing the visible condition of the facility.

The point cloud can include:

production machinery
structural columns
roof beams
conveyors
chutes
tanks and vessels
platforms and stairs
pipework
cable trays
ventilation ducting
factory walls
floor levels
surrounding equipment

The point cloud can then be referenced during the development of the SolidWorks layout.

This allows the modeller to position proposed equipment relative to the actual factory rather than relying solely on manual measurements or legacy plans.

Does the Entire Factory Need to Be Modelled?

Not every factory element needs to be converted into a detailed SolidWorks model.

The modelling scope can focus on the geometry that directly affects the proposed installation.

For example, a machinery-layout project may only require modelling of:

the factory floor
surrounding walls
nearby columns
overhead beams
adjacent machinery
major services
access platforms
conveyor interfaces
equipment foundations

The remaining factory information can stay visible within the point cloud as a spatial reference.

This targeted approach can reduce modelling time while retaining the information needed for engineering coordination.

Positioning Supplier Equipment Models

Manufacturing projects often involve equipment supplied by several manufacturers.

Supplier models may be available in formats such as:

STEP
SAT
Parasolid
IGES
SolidWorks parts
SolidWorks assemblies
Autodesk Inventor
Revit
IFC

These files can be imported or referenced within the factory-layout model.

The equipment can then be positioned and reviewed against the surrounding plant.

This may help confirm:

overall equipment size
floor-space requirements
access-door locations
operator working areas
loading and discharge points
maintenance clearances
service connections
conveyor interfaces
equipment-removal paths

Where a detailed supplier model is unavailable, a simplified equipment envelope can be developed from drawings, specifications or site measurements.

Production-Line Layout Development

A production line contains several connected machines and processes.

The location of one machine may affect the position of every item downstream.

A coordinated SolidWorks assembly can help review:

production sequence
machine-to-machine interfaces
product transfer
conveyor centre lines
transfer heights
accumulation areas
packaging equipment
palletising systems
operator stations
inspection points
waste handling
finished-product movement

Alternative layout concepts can be developed before selecting the preferred arrangement.

This allows the project team to compare options based on available space, process flow, access, installation difficulty and potential future expansion.

Conveyor and Materials-Handling Layouts

Conveyors are often a major component of manufacturing layouts.

The conveyor arrangement must connect equipment while maintaining appropriate access and avoiding clashes with structures and services.

A SolidWorks conveyor layout may consider:

conveyor centre lines
belt or chain widths
loading points
discharge positions
conveyor elevations
drive arrangements
take-up locations
transfer chutes
support structures
access platforms
machine guarding
cleaning access
maintenance clearances

The conveyor should be considered as part of the complete production system rather than added after the machinery layout has already been finalised.

Maintenance Access and Equipment Removal

A machine may fit within the available floor space but still be difficult to maintain.

Manufacturing layouts should consider the space needed to inspect, clean, repair and replace equipment.

SolidWorks models can be used to represent maintenance and removal zones around machinery.

These may include:

motor-removal clearances
gearbox access
bearing withdrawal space
conveyor belt-replacement areas
removable guard envelopes
access around electrical cabinets
lifting paths
forklift access
crane access
equipment-removal routes
maintenance-platform positions

These areas can be represented using simplified volumes or clearance envelopes within the layout assembly.

This makes it easier to communicate the required access during design reviews.

Factory Services and Utilities

Manufacturing equipment commonly requires connections to existing factory services.

These may include:

compressed air
water
steam
gas
electrical power
data and controls
hydraulic services
drainage
ventilation
dust extraction
product pipework

The position of these services can affect the machinery arrangement.

A coordinated model can help identify where new services need to be routed and where existing services may conflict with the proposed layout.

Major service routes can be modelled in SolidWorks or retained within the point cloud, depending on the required project detail.

Brownfield Manufacturing Upgrades

Brownfield manufacturing projects involve modifying an existing operating facility.

These projects may have limited shutdown periods, restricted access and incomplete documentation.

A scan-to-SolidWorks workflow can help identify:

equipment clashes
structural interferences
restricted installation access
incomplete service information
conveyor alignment problems
insufficient maintenance space
difficult lifting requirements
potential fabrication changes

Identifying these constraints before fabrication can reduce onsite rework and installation delays.

The Manufacturing Layout Design Australia service is particularly suited to factory upgrades where accurate existing-condition information is needed before design decisions are finalised.

General Arrangement Drawings from SolidWorks

Once the manufacturing layout has been reviewed, the SolidWorks model can be used to create general arrangement drawings.

Typical layout drawings may include:

factory floor plans
equipment arrangement plans
production-line layouts
conveyor layouts
elevations
sectional views
equipment centre lines
critical dimensions
maintenance-clearance zones
access-platform arrangements
equipment identification
installation reference points

These drawings can support internal design reviews, supplier coordination, contractor pricing, fabrication planning and site installation.

SolidWorks Deliverables

Depending on the project scope, manufacturing-layout deliverables may include:

SolidWorks parts
SolidWorks assemblies
layout sketches
simplified equipment envelopes
imported supplier models
STEP files
SAT files
Parasolid files
DWG drawings
DXF files
general arrangement drawings
installation drawings
fabrication drawings
PDF drawing packages
registered point-cloud data
clash-review models
Navisworks coordination files

The required deliverables should be agreed at the beginning of the project so the model is developed for its intended purpose.

A Staged SolidWorks Manufacturing Layout Process

Manufacturing layout projects can be completed through a staged process.

Stage 1 — Define the project

Confirm the production requirement, proposed machinery, site location and required outputs.

Stage 2 — Review available information

Review supplier models, legacy drawings, photographs, specifications and existing factory plans.

Stage 3 — Capture the factory

Use 3D laser scanning or site measurements to document the relevant areas.

Stage 4 — Register the point cloud

Combine the scans into a coordinated existing-condition dataset.

Stage 5 — Develop the existing-condition reference

Model or identify the factory elements that affect the proposed layout.

Stage 6 — Import supplier equipment

Bring available machinery and equipment models into the SolidWorks assembly.

Stage 7 — Develop layout options

Position equipment and assess alternative arrangements.

Stage 8 — Review access and clashes

Check maintenance clearances, material flow, services, structures and installation requirements.

Stage 9 — Prepare drawings

Produce general arrangement drawings, sections, elevations and installation information.

Stage 10 — Update after installation

Where required, complete additional scanning or drawing updates to record the final installed condition.

Manufacturing Layout Design Across Australia

Hamilton By Design supports manufacturing and industrial projects throughout Australia.

Services may be provided in:

Sydney
Central Coast
Newcastle
Hunter Valley
Wollongong
Brisbane
Gold Coast
Melbourne
Geelong
Adelaide
Perth
Kalgoorlie
Canberra
Darwin
regional industrial locations

Site scanning and verification can be completed onsite, followed by point-cloud registration, SolidWorks modelling and drawing development offsite.

Why Combine SolidWorks with 3D Laser Scanning?

SolidWorks provides the tools needed to develop equipment assemblies and engineering drawings.

3D laser scanning provides accurate information about the existing factory.

Used together, they can create a practical workflow from site reality to engineering documentation.

The combined process can help project teams:

understand the available space
compare equipment arrangements
review maintenance access
coordinate supplier models
identify clashes
improve drawing accuracy
plan installation work
reduce fabrication uncertainty
document future factory changes

Learn More About Manufacturing Layout Design

Hamilton By Design provides engineer-led manufacturing layout design, factory scanning, SolidWorks modelling and mechanical drafting support across Australia.

The service can support production-line modifications, machinery installations, conveyor arrangements, factory expansions and brownfield upgrades.

Read the full service page:

Manufacturing Layout Design Australia – Hamilton By Design

Additional information about industrial CAD services is available from:

3D CAD Modelling Australia

Manufacturing and Production Engineering

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