Solidworks Sydney

Solving Engineering Problems with 3D LiDAR Scanning and SolidWorks Modelling Engineering projects rarely begin with perfect information. Existing drawings may be outdated, equipment may have been modified, structural steel may not be positioned exactly as documented, and pipework or services may have been rerouted during previous upgrades. When new equipment must fit into an existing industrial facility, relying on assumptions can quickly lead to clashes, fabrication errors and expensive site modifications. A practical solution is to combine 3D LiDAR scanning with SolidWorks modelling . This workflow captures the actual condition of a site, converts the measured information into an engineering-ready digital environment, and allows new designs to be checked before fabrication begins. The Problem: Existing Drawings Do Not Match the Site Brownfield engineering projects often involve facilities that have been operating for many years. During that time, maintenance work, equipment replaceme...

  3D Scanning for Conveyor Upgrades – Avoid Costly Mistakes Conveyor upgrades are a common part of mining and bulk material handling operations. Whether it’s replacing a chute, modifying transfer points, or upgrading structural supports, these projects often take place in existing plant environments where accuracy is critical. The problem is — many conveyor upgrades are still designed using outdated drawings or incomplete site measurements. This is where costly mistakes happen. Why Conveyor Upgrade Projects Go Wrong Most conveyor systems have evolved over time. Modifications, repairs, and shutdown work often change the plant layout without fully updating the drawings. As a result: Existing geometry doesn’t match design assumptions Structural steel is not where it’s expected Chutes don’t align correctly Clearances are tighter than planned Installation issues arise during shutdowns Even small discrepancies can lead to major problems when working within tight plant constraints. The Re...

In mining and industrial operations, accurate drawings are critical for design, maintenance, and upgrades. However, in many real-world projects, the drawings being used do not reflect the actual site conditions. This mismatch between drawings and reality is one of the most common causes of design errors, installation issues, and costly rework across mining plants. If you’ve ever had a component not fit, a chute misaligns, or pipework clash during installation, there’s a high chance the problem started with inaccurate or outdated drawings. The Reality of Mining Plant Drawings Most mining plants have evolved over years — sometimes decades. During that time: Equipment has been replaced Structural steel has been modified Pipework has been rerouted Temporary fixes have become permanent Shutdown upgrades were never fully documented As a result, the original drawings often no longer represent what actually exists on site. For a deeper look at how real-world data improves engineering accuracy,...

  SolidWorks Keeps Crashing with Scan Data – Here’s Why If you’ve tried to open or work with point cloud data in SolidWorks and experienced crashes, lag, or freezing, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common problems engineers face when working with 3D laser scan data. The issue isn’t just software performance — it’s usually a mismatch between how scan data is structured and how SolidWorks is designed to operate. Why SolidWorks Struggles with Scan Data SolidWorks is built for parametric CAD modelling , not for handling massive datasets made up of millions (or billions) of points. A point cloud is fundamentally different from a CAD model: Point clouds = raw measurement data SolidWorks models = structured geometry When you try to force one into the other without preparation, problems start. Common Reasons SolidWorks Crashes 1. File Size Is Too Large Point cloud files (RCP, E57, LAS) can easily range from: 2 GB 10 GB 50 GB+ Trying to load this directly into SolidWorks can over...