L&T Eliminates Manual Drawing Work with Custom CAD Automation

Objective

To automate the generation of 2D fabrication drawings for plates and beams used in complex assemblies. The application was designed to:

• Automatically generate 2D drawings of specified components with accurate dimensions

• Follow third-angle projection standards

• Output a structured Excel sheet summarizing key details of each drawing

This eliminates hours of manual drafting and standardizes deliverables for manufacturing and QC teams.

The Challenge

In projects handled by L&T Hydrocarbon, each assembly is unique — with different part geometries, orientations, and fabrication requirements. Manual drawing creation was not only time-consuming, but also highly prone to errors when determining the correct drawing views.

The critical challenge: how do you automatically determine the optimal orientation of each part — whether it’s a plate, I-beam, or L-beam — so that the drawing captures the most manufacturing-relevant information?

To solve this, we developed a robust algorithm that identifies key part parameters and selects the ideal orientation for each drawing, always conforming to third-angle projection standards.

The Solution

Our custom automation tool processes CAD models to:

1. Identify component types (Plate, I Beam, L Beam, etc.)

2. Calculate optimal orientation for each part to maximize clarity

3. Generate 2D drawings with all required dimensions

4. Compile output data into a well-structured Excel file

5. Organize all files into a standardized project folder using L&T Hydrocarbon’s internal naming conventions

This means drawings are ready for manufacturing with no manual intervention post-modeling.

Output Deliverables

2D Drawings

• Fully dimensioned, orientation-correct views

• Third-angle projection

• Plates output at 1:1 scale for direct use in fabrication

Excel Summary Sheet

• Includes:

  • Pattern Name

  • Quantity

  • Length, Width, Thickness

  • Drawing Scale

• Helps planning, QC, and procurement teams review specs at a glance

Structured Output Folder

• Auto-generated per project

• Uses standardized file naming conventions for consistency across teams

Impact

• Eliminated manual drawing work for plate and beam assemblies

• Improved manufacturing accuracy with consistent orientation logic

• Faster drawing turnaround, enabling quicker design-to-fabrication workflows

• One-click output for all required documentation and production files

This automation tool has become a critical asset in L&T Hydrocarbon’s design process — enabling engineering teams to scale output without scaling effort.