Due to bad transfer chute design the reliability of
belt conveyors not always is reflected in an increase in reliability for
the overall plant. Improving the design of transfer stations requires
observation and experience but increasingly it requires an improvement
in the application of available technologies such as DEM.
The
present requirement for higher annual throughput capacity in the iron
ore industry generally demands higher design capacity and speeds for
belt conveyors. Conveyor belt technology has advance to meet the demand.
However the reliability of the belt conveyor at high capacity is not
reflected in an increase in reliability for the overall plant.
In
part this is due to the transfer chute, an increase in unscheduled
downtime such as blockages and schedule downtime such as increase in
maintenance requirements.
Improving the design of transfer
stations requires observation and experience but increasingly it
requires an improvement in the application of available technologies
such as flowability technology and discrete element methodology. These
technologies require test work on representative samples to determine
the input data. Reliable data is required to predict outcomes such as
the likely hood of blockage and predictable flow trajectory.
This article illustrates present knowledge and future potential for transfer chute design.
Talk to the team at Hamilton By Design with regard to DEM
Hamilton By Design provide highly professional CAD drafting service. This 1st class drafting service can be provided in person or over the Internet.
CAD - Design Drafting of Structural - Mechanical - 3D Pipework
Our Internet freelance CAD drafting service completely operates out of Australia with all designs for the Australia market place with all projects conforming to Australia Standards. Our Internet CAD drafting service offers practicable solutions to deliver projects ahead of deadlines.
The team at Hamilton By Design offer a flexible design drafting resource that ensures assembly and performance.
For more information on getting your projects delivered on time and within budget contact Hamilton By Design today.
Hamilton By Design - Mining Services Consultants, model, develop and design transfer chutes for a range of bulk materials. Furthermore our team offers practical designs that lend themselves to days manufacturing methods. Many of our past solutions have included bins, feeders, hoppers, hoods,
spoons and gates.
If you planning a new transfer or upgrading an existing bulk material system Hamilton By Design have the team with depth of experience to resolve your design contrains. From a stock pile or a conveyor to conveyor or into a crusher / mill transfer move your stockpile.
Hamilton By Design can develop a chute to meet your production requirements.
Hamilton By Design provide a range of design services for materials handling systems including custom design of purpose-built
machinery, structural inspection, analysis, cost estimates, engineering and project management, for both new projects
and existing plant upgrades.
Hamilton By Design can handle your materials handling.
Site drafting projects, petroleum & oil industry drafting, plans & planning drafting design, oil industry drafting
Our
aim is to produce cost effective drawings of the highest level of
accuracy and quality to meet the needs for your company. We can
accommodate virtually any project, from structural drafting to
mechanical drafting design, piping drafting to 3-dimensional drafting
and virtually any type of 2D drafting and AutoCad 3D services in
between.
Hamilton By Design offer a range of design services
including: Concrete foundations, slabs & equipment bases, Buildings, tanks, skid mounted equipment & other structures, Mechanical components & assemblies, Converting vehicles to run on
rails, Under ground vehicles, Drill rig, salt harvesters & head frames drawings, Bore
field works & pump stations, Water purification, potable water
reticulation & sewerage projects.
For more information on how Hamilton By Design can assist your project be delivered in time contact www.hamiltonbydesign.com.au today
Conveyor transfer stations are critical parts within the raw materials conveyor track. The
material needs to be guided from the oncoming conveyor to the following
transport system. Transfer Chutes carry out this process, which require to be
designed so that dust, noise and wear are minimized.
Furthermore chute design needs is to avoid blockages where material flow
is hindered or obstructed due to build up of material in the chute. In addition where blockages occur access must be designed for maintenance personal.
At Hamilton By Design investigations leading to a optimum chute design are carried out through
experimental tests in the laboratory, with the aid of computer simulation
programs. The presentation shows every single step to reach the optimum
In bulk materials handling systems, chutes and transfer stations are critical components that influence material flow efficiency, wear performance, and operational reliability. Whether you’re upgrading existing infrastructure or designing new plant layouts, accurate engineering documentation and modelling are essential to reduce risk and maximise uptime.
At Hamilton By Design, we integrate reality capture (LiDAR scanning), point cloud modelling, and engineering CAD workflows to deliver highly detailed documentation and constructable designs for chutes, transfer stations, and related bulk handling assets.
What Are Chutes & Transfer Stations?
In material handling systems, chutes are structures that direct the flow of material between conveyors, hoppers, bins and processing equipment. A transfer station is the junction point where material changes direction, speed, or conveying method — often involving multiple chutes, diverters, and supporting structures.
These areas are prone to:
Abrasion and wear
Blockages and spillage
Complex geometry
Tight tolerances
Which makes accurate documentation and engineering-grade models absolutely vital.
Traditional Challenges with Chutes & Transfer Documentation
Historically, detailing of chutes and transfer stations has suffered from:
✘ Inaccurate or outdated drawings
Original design drawings often do not reflect field conditions — especially in brownfield facilities that have been modified over time.
✘ Manual measurement limitations
Tape measures and handheld methods are slow, inaccurate, and disruptive in active plants.
✘ Misalignment between design and installation
Lack of accurate as-built data leads to rework, clashes, and extended shutdowns.
Engineering-Grade Reality Capture: LiDAR Scanning
The foundation of accurate chute and transfer station modelling begins with 3D laser scanning. Using high-precision LiDAR scanners, we capture millions of data points across the surfaces of existing structures.
This produces a registered point cloud dataset that:
Captures true geometry
Records global coordinates
Provides millimetre-level accuracy
These point clouds become the single source of truth for all downstream modelling and documentation.
Point Cloud Modelling for Chutes & Transfer Stations
Once LiDAR data has been captured and registered, the next step is point cloud modelling. This process converts raw scan data into usable CAD representations.
Our point cloud modelling services deliver:
Clean 3D surfaces and solids
Detailed geometry for chutes, liners, skirts, and diverters
Alignment with conveyors, structural steel, and supports
Prepared outputs for design, analysis, or fabrication
Point cloud models allow engineers to visualise existing conditions with confidence and reduce guesswork often associated with legacy assets.
As-Built CAD & Engineering Documentation
For clients that require deliverables for detailed design, procurement or construction, point cloud data is often converted into as-built CAD models and drawings.
These as-built deliverables support:
Fabrication and installation coordination
Clash detection
Tolerance verification
Structural and mechanical design inputs
The result: faster turnarounds and fewer surprises during shutdowns.
This means your chute and transfer station modelling is:
Aligned with mechanical and structural requirements
Compatible with fabrication workflows
Usable for analysis and compliance
Benefits of This Integrated Approach
By combining: ✔ LiDAR scanning ✔ Point cloud modelling ✔ CAD detailing ✔ Engineering review
You gain outcomes that are:
🔹 Accurate
True-to-site geometry verified against reality.
🔹 Constructable
Models that work in the real world, not just on paper.
🔹 Efficient
Less rework, fewer surprises on site.
🔹 Risk-reducing
Early clash detection and validation of fit before major shutdown windows.
Use Cases Where This Matters Most
Our clients commonly use these services for:
Refining existing chute geometry before rebuilds
Planning transfer station upgrades
Integrating new conveyors into old layouts
Documenting legacy assets prior to shutdown
Preparing for fatigue or wear liner analysis
Conclusion — Engineering Confidence for Critical Assets
Chutes and transfer stations are mission-critical nodes in material handling systems. When they’re documented well, they operate well. When they’re documented poorly, they become pain points, risk points and downtime drivers.
Hamilton By Design brings precision, technology, and engineering accountability to every project — reducing risk and increasing certainty for your next chute or transfer station upgrade.
Call to Action
To discuss how our point cloud, CAD, and engineering services can benefit your next chute or transfer station project, contact us today.
