AI drawing automation: How Azbil cut Drawing Time from 30 Minutes to Seconds

Today, engineering teams are under constant pressure to deliver projects faster, more accurately, and at a lower cost. That’s where AI technical drawing automation comes in. This case study highlights how Azbil, a global leader in building automation and industrial solutions, partnered with BII to develop an AI drawing automation.

1. Overview

Project Name: C4B FB Drawing Tool Azbil
Solution Type: AI drawing automation
Industry: Engineering
Technology Stack: Computer Vision

2. Introduction

Our client, Azbil Corporation, is a global leader in the building automation industry. With a history that spans over a century, Azbil has consistently focused on creating technologies that make buildings, factories, and entire communities more efficient, safe, and sustainable.
The company is best known for its smart building solutions, helping reduce waste and optimize performance. Beyond buildings, Azbil also provides automation technologies for manufacturing plants, cleanrooms, and critical infrastructure.
By combining cutting-edge engineering with a deep understanding of industry requirements, Azbil has become a trusted partner for businesses around the world that are pursuing digital transformation and sustainability goals.

3. Challenges

Before partnering with BII, Azbil’s engineering teams faced a number of difficulties when implementing their work. The following are their difficulties:

Slow manual workflows

Each time engineers worked on a functional block drawing, they had to carefully identify and edit every element by hand. On average, it took them 20–30 minutes to complete just one drawing. When projects required hundreds of drawings, the delays quickly added up.

High risk of human errors

Manual work is not only time-consuming but also causes mistakes. Even a small error in a technical drawing can lead to bigger problems later, such as incorrect designs, rework, or higher construction costs. In engineering projects, even small errors can create larger downstream problems, from design flaws to safety concerns.

Scalability problems

When Azbil expanded, the number of projects and technical drawings increased rapidly. More complex projects required more drawings, but the team’s capacity remained limited. This lack of scalability not only slowed down delivery but also restricted Azbil’s ability to take on new opportunities.

High operational costs

To keep up with demand, Azbil has to either hire more staff or spend extra time training current employees to handle repetitive tasks. Both options meant higher long-term costs without truly solving the root problem.

Besides that, according to industry research, engineers spend up to 40% of their time on repetitive documentation and drawing-related tasks. For companies like Azbil, this leads to time-consuming, lower productivity, and frequent project delays. Without a more efficient system, Azbil risked falling behind competitors already moving toward automation.

4. Solution – C4B FB Drawing Tool

To solve these challenges, BII developed the C4B FB Drawing Tool – an innovative solution powered by Computer Vision AI. This AI drawing automation tool was designed to automate the most time-consuming parts of Azbil’s drawing process. Hence, Azbil’s procedure becomes faster, more accurate, and cost-effective.
Instead of using engineers on repetitive work, the AI takes over. It ensures that every drawing is processed consistently and with minimal effort. The tool not only accelerates workflows but also allows Azbil to scale operations without increasing costs or staff requirements.

Key features of C4B FB Drawing Tool include

Automated Object Recognition

The AI can instantly detect and identify multiple technical elements in drawings. Instead of manually scanning line by line, it is now done automatically in seconds. This removes the burden of manual checking.

Smart Conversion & Redesign

After recognizing the objects, the tool automatically converts them into new, editable graphic formats. This means engineers don’t just get a static file—they receive a ready-to-use version. It is easy to adapt and edit without extra manual effort.

CPU-Optimized Performance

Unlike most AI solutions that require powerful and costly GPUs, the C4B FB Drawing Tool is optimized to run smoothly on standard CPUs. This design choice means Azbil avoids expensive hardware upgrades while still benefiting from cutting-edge AI performance.

5. Results & Business Impact

The implementation of C4B FB Drawing Tool – AI drawing automation – delivered outstanding results for Azbil.

Unmatched Accuracy

During internal testing, the tool achieved 99% accuracy. Moreover, in actual client use, it consistently delivered 100% accuracy. This level of precision has nearly eliminated human error in drawing conversions, cutting down costly corrections.

Time Savings

Manual workflows that once took 20–30 minutes per drawing are now completed in just 20 seconds. That’s a 99% reduction in processing time, freeing up engineers to focus on higher-value tasks.

Cost Efficiency

Because the AI is CPU-optimized, Azbil avoided the need for expensive GPU hardware. As a result, this kind of AI drawing automation reduced the need for additional staff or overtime hours, generating long-term savings on labor costs.

With this AI drawing automation solution, Azbil successfully redefined its workflows. The success of C4B FB Drawing Tool project clearly demonstrates how AI and computer vision can transform industrial workflows.

In case, your business is looking for ways to integrate AI-powered solutions into operations, BII can help. Our expertise in AI, Computer Vision, and Digital Transformation enables us to design solutions tailored to your unique needs. Contact us today to explore how we can support your journey into AI-driven innovation.