An offshore boiler manufacturer needed to modernize its engineering workflow — converting legacy 2D drawings and datasheets into a fully parametric, automated 3D design system capable of generating fabrication drawings, sales documentation, and engineering calculations directly from configurable inputs.

The project spanned 1.5 years, with a dedicated ALTEN team building 3D models, automating drawing generation, and embedding engineering calculations (heating surface area, water content) into a repeatable, Excel-driven CAD workflow.

The scope included:

• Conversion of legacy AutoCAD drawings and PDF datasheets into 3D parametric models
• 2D fabrication drawing generation from the 3D model base
• Sales GA (General Arrangement) drawing automation
• Excel-driven CAD automation for configurable boiler variants
• Heating surface area calculations
• Water content calculations
• Catalog data extraction directly from CAD models

Challenge:

Legacy Data Fragmentation

• Source data existed only as static AutoCAD drawings and PDF datasheets, with no parametric or reusable 3D foundation
• Reconstructing accurate 3D geometry from 2D legacy references across multiple boiler variants and sizes

Configuration Complexity

• Boiler specifications (type, pressure rating, plate thickness) varied significantly across product lines, requiring a flexible rather than one-off modeling approach
• Manually regenerating drawings for each configuration was time-intensive and error-prone

Engineering Calculation Accuracy

• Heating surface area and water content calculations needed to stay accurate and synchronized as design configurations changed
• Avoiding disconnect between the CAD model and the underlying engineering calculations

Sustained Delivery Over Time

• Maintaining consistent modeling and automation quality across a 1.5-year, offshore-delivered engagement with a small dedicated team

ALTEN Solutions

Parametric 3D Model Foundation

• Converted legacy AutoCAD and PDF datasheet inputs into fully parametric 3D models in Inventor, establishing a reusable base across boiler variants

Excel-Driven CAD Automation

• Built an Excel-driven automation layer that generates 3D models, 2D fabrication drawings, and sales GA drawings directly from input parameters — eliminating manual redraws for each configuration

Embedded Engineering Calculations

• Integrated heating surface area and water content calculations into the automated workflow, keeping engineering data synchronized with the CAD model at all times

Automated Drawing Generation

• Enabled direct generation of 2D fabrication drawings and sales GA drawings from the parametric model, reducing manual drafting effort

Catalog Data Extraction

• Enabled catalog and specification data to be pulled directly from CAD model attributes, streamlining downstream sales and documentation processes

Dedicated Offshore Delivery Team

• Maintained a focused 3-FTE dedicated team delivering consistently over a 1.5-year offshore engagement under a T&M model, spanning India/USA delivery

Business Benefits

Faster Configuration Turnaround

• Automated drawing generation drastically cut the time to produce fabrication and sales drawings for new boiler configurations

Reduced Manual Errors

• Parametric automation minimized manual drafting and calculation errors across multiple boiler variants

Scalable Product Configuration

• Excel-driven automation allowed the client to scale to new boiler sizes/types without rebuilding models from scratch

Sales Enablement

• Direct catalog data extraction from CAD accelerated sales documentation and quoting processes

Tools, Technologies & Expertise

Engineering & Design Tools

• Autodesk Inventor
• Excel-driven CAD automation scripting
• AutoCAD (legacy drawing reference)

Engineering Capabilities

• Parametric 3D modeling
• CAD automation & configurator development
• Engineering calculation integration (heating surface, water content)

Domain Expertise

• Boiler design & fabrication documentation
• Offshore equipment engineering
• Sales/catalog engineering data management

Where ALTEN Adds Value

• Converting static legacy data into a scalable, automated 3D design system
• Embedding engineering calculations directly into the CAD automation workflow
• Sustaining consistent delivery quality across a long-duration offshore engagement

Why ALTEN
ALTEN combines parametric CAD expertise with automation engineering to transform static, legacy documentation into a scalable, configuration-driven design system — reducing turnaround time and manual error across an entire product range.