admin 18th April 2025

In the demanding industries of construction, lifting, and material handling equipment manufacturing, clear and accurate documentation is more than just support—it’s a strategic necessity. When a global client approached Katalyst Engineering to improve their technical illustration workflows, the objective was clear: transform complex mechanical data into intuitive visual documentation that could support assembly, operation, and maintenance with greater efficiency and reliability.

This case study highlights how Katalyst delivered a powerful solution that enhanced accuracy, improved documentation speed, and reduced operational costs—underscoring its strength in Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions.

The Challenge

The client, a manufacturer of sophisticated material handling systems, faced growing inefficiencies in their documentation process. Their manuals, part catalogs, and service guides were disorganized, visually inconsistent, and difficult to update. This posed significant challenges in:

• Streamlining documentation across diverse equipment
• Ensuring consistent, updatable technical illustrations
• Enhancing comprehension for both technical and non-technical audiences
• Meeting compliance and operational safety standards

As the company expanded its portfolio of material handling solutions, these issues compounded—prompting a critical need for an agile, scalable technical illustration process.

Katalyst Engineering’s Solution

Katalyst Engineering responded with a robust, phased solution rooted in engineering design services and deep visual communication expertise.

Input & Analysis

The process began with a comprehensive intake of technical data and 3D CAD models from client subject matter experts (SMEs). Katalyst’s team of illustrators and engineers then collaborated to analyze and map illustration requirements aligned with actual usage scenarios.

Agile Process Implementation

Katalyst deployed a five-phase agile methodology that ensured speed, accuracy, and flexibility:

• Input Analysis
• Project Planning & Estimation
• Execution
• Quality Check
• Delivery

Each phase was meticulously managed to ensure the final illustrations met visual standards, technical integrity, and update-ready formatting.

Technical Output & Delivery

Final deliverables were produced in multiple formats—CGM, ISO, PDF, PNG, and TIFF—to ensure broad compatibility across print and digital platforms. Packages were structured for easy integration into manuals, assembly guides, and parts catalogs.

Tools & Technology

Leveraging a blend of engineering and illustration tools such as Arbortext IsoDraw, Adobe Illustrator, PTC Creo, SolidWorks, and Windchill, the Katalyst team produced detailed exploded views, cutaways, and schematic diagrams. This fusion of engineering innovation design & consulting allowed them to visualize complex components such as operator cabins and modular control panels (as seen in the exploded views from the client’s assets).

The Impact

Katalyst Engineering’s technical illustration service brought measurable improvements:

• 50% faster documentation turnaround time thanks to streamlined workflows
• Accuracy & Compliance: Standardized illustrations improved regulatory documentation compliance
• Cost Saving: Reduced rework, lowered field service errors, and minimized training time
• Reusability: All visuals were structured for easy future updates, improving lifecycle efficiency

These illustrations significantly improved the usability of technical documentation—ensuring that engineers, technicians, and service professionals could quickly interpret and act on information.