Question 1

Can you handle FrameMaker and DITA structured authoring output?

Accepted Answer

Yes, structured authoring is a core specialization. For FrameMaker, we handle both structured (XML-based) and unstructured books with full preservation of paragraph tags, character tags, master pages, cross-references, variables, conditional text, and generated lists. Our operators work in current FrameMaker versions but also maintain licenses for legacy versions back to FrameMaker 7 for clients with older document bases. For DITA, we localize topic-based content preserving ditamaps, key references, conref reuse, and filter conditions, with output compatible with any DITA Open Toolkit pipeline or CCMS. We handle both file-based workflows and direct integration with CCMS platforms including SDL Tridion Docs, IXIASOFT, and easyDITA. For S1000D aerospace and defense documentation, we preserve CSDB structure, data module integrity, and BREX rule compliance. Conditional text, variables, and reuse mechanisms are maintained per language to ensure your single-source content strategy scales correctly to every target market without requiring separate content branches per language.

Question 2

How do you localize AutoCAD and engineering drawings?

Accepted Answer

AutoCAD drawing localization is handled by DTP operators with specific CAD experience, not generalist translators. We receive DWG or DXF source files and work directly in AutoCAD to localize text annotations, dimensions, callouts, title blocks, and legends while preserving all technical content including layers, blocks, external references, lineweights, and scaling. For drawings containing many text elements, we build a parallel text extraction that feeds into our CAT tools for efficient translation, then reintegrates the translated strings back into the drawing with AutoLISP scripting for bulk operations. We handle drawing sets from single sheets up to thousands of sheets per project, maintaining drawing naming conventions, sheet numbering, and revision tracking. Deliverables include localized DWG/DXF files plus print-ready PDFs per drawing, all validated against the source for technical accuracy, layer integrity, and annotation placement. For SolidWorks and Creo drawings, we work with exported DWG or PDF intermediaries, localize, then coordinate with client CAD teams for final integration back into the native CAD environment.

Question 3

Do you maintain technical terminology consistency across large document sets?

Accepted Answer

Yes, terminology management is critical for manufacturing and engineering clients with large document portfolios. We establish dedicated translation memories and multi-tier glossaries at project kickoff — typically a master TM per product line, sub-TMs per document family (operator manual, service manual, parts catalog), and a terminology database with approved translations per technical term with contextual usage notes. Every subsequent project leverages these assets, ensuring a specific technical term translates the same way in the service manual, the training material, and the parts catalog across all 100+ target languages. For ongoing programs, we host the TMs and termbases on our servers or integrate with client-hosted platforms (SDL MultiTerm, memoQ TermBases, or custom CCMS). Terminology updates flow through a formal review cycle with client SME approval before propagating across the document portfolio. Automated QA checks flag any deviation from approved terminology in translated output, preventing inconsistencies from reaching production. This systematic approach scales to hundreds of thousands of source words across multiple years without terminology drift.

Question 4

Can you produce compliance-ready output for CE, UL, and ISO markets?

Accepted Answer

Yes, compliance-ready formatting is part of our standard deliverable for regulated markets. For CE marking, we produce documentation meeting the language requirements of each EU member state's transposition of relevant directives (Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, LVD 2014/35/EU, EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, etc.), with safety warnings, declarations of conformity, and operator instructions in all 24 official EU languages as required. For UL markets, we provide documentation meeting North American regulatory requirements with appropriate English, French (Canadian), and Spanish variants. For ISO standards including ISO 12100 (machine safety), ISO 3864 (safety signs), and sector-specific standards, we implement correct warning formatting, icon usage, signal words (DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, NOTICE), and hierarchical warning structures. For medical devices under MDR/IVDR, we provide multilingual IFUs meeting accessibility requirements. Our DTP operators receive regulatory training on these requirements and our QA checklists include compliance verification steps before delivery, reducing your regulatory filing risk and accelerating market access timelines across global product launches.

Question 5

What's your capacity for large technical documentation rollouts?

Accepted Answer

We regularly handle large-scale technical documentation rollouts with throughput of 50,000-100,000+ source words per language per week in ongoing programs. For one-time major releases such as a new product launch requiring a complete documentation library, we can mobilize teams of 8-15 linguists and 4-6 DTP operators per major language to deliver documentation sets of 500-2,000+ pages within 3-6 weeks depending on source file readiness and complexity. For continuous programs, we flex capacity based on your release calendar from 10,000 words per month for maintenance updates up to 200,000+ words per month for active new product introduction periods. Capacity planning is collaborative — we forecast 3-6 months ahead based on your product roadmap, secure linguist availability for your terminology and style, and align DTP capacity to match translation delivery. SLA-backed contracts define monthly capacity commitments with clauses for both over-delivery (when you exceed forecast) and under-utilization (when you fall short), ensuring predictable cost management on both sides.

Technical Manual Localization for Manufacturing & Engineering

What makes Manufacturing & Engineering localization different

Structured authoring complexity

CAD drawing localization

Technical terminology consistency

Regulatory compliance formatting

Our Manufacturing & Engineering capabilities

FrameMaker & structured authoring

InDesign & Illustrator technical documents

AutoCAD & engineering drawings

Parts catalogs & assemblies

Operator & service manuals

Technical terminology management

Services for Manufacturing & Engineering

Translation & Localization

Multilingual Desktop Publishing

File Preparation & Content Engineering

Image Localization & Editing

Manufacturing & Engineering FAQs

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