In industrial manufacturing, technical documentation is as critical as the machinery itself. Manuals, diagrams, and engineering drawings guide installation, operation, and maintenance, and any lack of clarity can result in costly delays, safety risks, or compliance issues. When equipment is exported across borders, the accuracy of translated documentation becomes even more crucial.

 

A global manufacturer of mechanical fluid systems and process equipment faced this challenge while preparing to deliver machinery to clients in Russia and Kazakhstan. 

To ensure smooth equipment deployment and on-site readiness, the company partnered with Language Services Bureau (LSB) for specialised technical translation services.

Client Overview

The client is a globally recognised manufacturer specialising in mechanical fluid systems and process equipment, serving industrial sectors that demand high engineering precision. Their products are deployed worldwide and supported by detailed technical documentation, including operating manuals, maintenance guides, and engineering drawings.

As part of a major export initiative, the client needed to supply equipment to customers in Russia and Kazakhstan. This required all technical documentation to be available in Russian and Kazakh, in line with local language expectations and operational requirements.

The Challenge

The scope of the project extended well beyond standard text translation. The client required:

  • Translation of highly technical manuals covering installation, operation, and maintenance
  • Translation of AutoCAD drawings, including process flow diagrams and electrical schematics
  • Engineering-level accuracy to ensure the documentation could be used directly on-site
  • Native-level fluency in Russian and Kazakh
  • Compatibility with AutoCAD formats, without disrupting layouts, symbols, or annotations

Any errors or delays could impact equipment commissioning timelines and potentially lead to contractual penalties. The documentation had to be delivered on time, accurate in both language and engineering intent, and ready for immediate use by local technical teams.

Why It Mattered

In mechanical and process engineering projects, documentation is operationally critical. A mistranslated instruction, incorrect label, or misinterpreted diagram can lead to:
  • Incorrect installation or operation of equipment
  • Safety hazards for on-site personnel
  • Damage to equipment, leading to loss of investment/time
  • Delays in commissioning and handover
  • Compliance concerns in regulated environments
  • Financial penalties due to missed project deadlines
For the client, the success of the entire delivery depended on whether local teams in Russia and Kazakhstan could understand and apply the documentation precisely as intended.

Our Approach

LSB approached the project with a focus on technical accuracy, engineering context, and format integrity, ensuring that translations were not only linguistically correct but also operationally reliable.
  1. Native Engineer-Translators
LSB assigned native Russian and Kazakh translators with engineering backgrounds. These specialists were experienced in mechanical systems, process equipment, and technical documentation, enabling them to professionally handle both the language and the underlying engineering concepts. Before the project began, sample translations were provided and approved by the client, ensuring alignment on terminology, tone, and technical accuracy.
  1. Technical Terminology Management
Consistent and accurate terminology is essential in engineering documentation. LSB developed a project-specific terminology framework to ensure that key technical terms, component names, and system references were translated consistently across manuals and drawings. This helped eliminate ambiguity and ensured uniformity across all documentation sets.
  1. AutoCAD-Compatible Translation
Rather than extracting text from drawings, LSB translated the AutoCAD files directly in their original format. This ensured:
  • Preservation of layout, formats, and alignment
  • Accurate placement of translated labels and annotations
  • No disruption to symbols, dimensions, or technical references
This approach allowed the translated drawings to be used immediately by engineering and installation teams without additional rework.
  1. Multi-Level Quality Checks
Each document underwent a structured quality assurance process, including:
  • Linguistic review by native experts
  • Technical validation for engineering accuracy
  • Format and usability checks within AutoCAD and document files
This ensured that the final deliverables met both linguistic and technical expectations.

The Outcome

LSB successfully delivered fully translated Russian and Kazakh versions of all required manuals and AutoCAD drawings within the agreed timeline. As a result:
  • Equipment handover proceeded smoothly without documentation-related delays
  • On-site teams were able to install and operate machinery confidently
  • The client avoided potential penalties linked to delayed commissioning
  • Documentation, that is normally part of international compliances, was accepted and used without revisions or clarifications
The project was completed on time, supporting seamless execution of the client’s export commitments in both markets.

Technical Translation as an Operational Enabler

This case highlights an important reality in industrial manufacturing: technical translation is an operational enabler. Accurate technical documentation ensures that equipment performs as designed, teams work safely, and projects stay on schedule. By investing in specialised technical translation, the client reduced risk and ensured operational continuity across borders.

Key Takeaways

  • Industry: Mechanical Engineering/ Process Equipment Manufacturing
  • Languages: English to Russian and Kazakh
  • Challenge: Translating complex technical manuals and AutoCAD drawings with engineering precision
  • Solution: Native engineer-translators and AutoCAD-compatible technical translation
  • Result: On-time delivery, smooth equipment handover, and successful project execution

Final Thoughts

Global manufacturing projects demand documentation that communicates clearly across languages, cultures, and technical disciplines.

By partnering with Language Services Bureau, our client from the Engineering domain ensured that every manual and drawing delivered the same level of clarity and precision in Russian and Kazakh as in the original English version. The result was a successful equipment deployment, within required timelines, and confident on-site execution.

If your organisation needs reliable technical translation for engineering, manufacturing, or industrial documentation, LSB delivers accuracy you can depend on.Looking for accurate technical translation for engineering or manufacturing projects? Talk to our experts at Language Services Bureau. Call us at +91 8237060559

It requires both language skills and technical knowledge to ensure accuracy in instructions, processes, and engineering terms.

Translations are done directly in AutoCAD to preserve layout, labels, and technical accuracy.

Yes. All deliverables are formatted and validated for direct on-site use.

LSB works across manufacturing, engineering, process equipment, and industrial sectors.

It prevents misinterpretation, delays, and operational errors during installation and commissioning.