Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT KEVOS®

1. What does KEVOS® actually do?

KEVOS® is an Australian engineering design practice. We produce the technical documentation that lets manufacturers manufacture, fabricators fabricate, and builders build — covering mechanical, structural, architectural and civil disciplines. In plain terms: we turn ideas, sketches, scans, and engineering intent into the precise drawings, 3D models and documentation packs your team uses on the factory floor or construction site.

2. Who is KEVOS® built for?

We work with manufacturers, fabricators, infrastructure contractors, defence suppliers, product innovators, builders, and asset-intensive operators. If your work depends on engineering documentation that has to be right the first time, you're our client.

3. Where are you based, and do you work outside Sydney?

Our studio is in Warwick Farm, NSW (6/2-4 George Street, Warwick Farm 2170). We work with clients across Australia and internationally — most engagements run remotely with secure file exchange and scheduled review calls. Site visits are arranged where the project requires it.

4. How long has KEVOS® been operating?

KEVOS® was founded in 2011 by Kevin Jogin, after years inside Sydney's leading engineering practices. We've spent more than a decade refining how engineering documentation is produced, reviewed, and delivered.

5. What makes KEVOS® different from a typical drafting service?

Most drafting services deliver drawings. We deliver decisions. Every project starts with the functional engineering foundation, then is elevated through technical rigour and design sensibility — so what works flawlessly also reads cleanly and earns the trust of the people who build from it. We don't treat engineering as a commodity, and our pricing, process, and deliverables reflect that.

SERVICES & CAPABILITIES

6. What specific services do you offer?

• 3D Parametric Modelling — SolidWorks-based components, assemblies and full product development programmes
• 2D CAD Drafting — fabrication, construction and architectural drawings
• Fabrication & Shop Drawings — production-ready, weld-specified, BOM-complete
• Manufacturing Documentation Packs — assembly sequences, material callouts, traceability documentation
• Sketch-to-CAD Conversion — hand sketches, field measurements, photos converted to precise digital drawings
• Reverse Engineering & Design Recovery — 3D scanning and parametric reconstruction of existing parts and tooling
• Ongoing CAD Support — flexible weekly or monthly drafting capacity for in-house teams
• Specialised Engineering Consulting — focused sessions for asset operators, defence programmes, and founders

7. What engineering disciplines do you cover?

Mechanical, structural, architectural and civil. Within those, we've delivered work across product design, plant and equipment design, food-grade machinery, defence tooling, residential and commercial building design, bridge repairs, and rail infrastructure.

8. Can KEVOS® handle complete product development, or only drafting?

Both. We support new product development end-to-end — from concept and parametric modelling through prototyping documentation, manufacturing instructions and design-for-manufacture review. We can also drop in at any single stage if you only need drafting, reverse engineering, or documentation cleanup.

9. Do you do reverse engineering of legacy or obsolete parts?

Yes. We use 3D scanning, dimensional capture and parametric reconstruction to recreate parts, tooling and assemblies — useful when original drawings are lost, suppliers have discontinued a component, or you need to modernise legacy equipment for new manufacturing methods.

10. Can you provide shop drawings ready for the workshop floor?

Yes. Our fabrication and shop drawings are written in the language of the workshop — full dimensions, weld symbols, sectional details, bill of materials, and clear annotations. The aim is for your fabricators to spend their time fabricating, not interpreting.

11. Do you produce drawings for council approval (DA / CDC)?

Yes. We produce architectural and civil documentation suitable for Development Applications and Complying Development Certificates in NSW. We've delivered residential CDC packages and commercial development drawings, and we coordinate with private certifiers and structural engineers as required.

12. Can KEVOS® support a one-off project, or do you only take on retainers?

Both. Many clients engage us for a defined project with a fixed scope and timeline. Others use our Ongoing CAD Support model — weekly or monthly drafting capacity — when they need consistent engineering bandwidth without hiring in-house. Tell us what you need; we'll recommend the right engagement.

PROCESS & COMMUNICATION

13. What does engaging KEVOS® actually look like, step by step?

1. Discovery — you tell us about the project, constraints, and the outcome you need
2. Scoping & proposal — we recommend an engagement model, deliverables, timeline and fee
3. Information gathering — drawings, scans, measurements, reference material exchanged securely
4. Design & drafting — work proceeds in agreed milestones with progress reviews
5. Review & revision — structured feedback rounds, with changes tracked and version-controlled
6. Delivery — final files in your required formats, plus any handover documentation
7. Post-delivery support — minor clarifications, RFIs from fabricators, and follow-up engagements as needed

14. How do you communicate during a project?

Email for documented decisions, scheduled video calls for reviews, and shared file repositories for live document exchange. For longer programmes we set a regular cadence — typically a weekly progress check — so you're never wondering where things stand.

15. Will I work with the same person from start to finish?

Yes. Every KEVOS® project has a single point of accountability who runs the engagement from kickoff through delivery. You won't be handed between drafters or routed through an account manager.

16. What happens if I need changes mid-project?

Revisions are part of engineering — we expect them and budget for them. Minor adjustments inside the agreed scope are absorbed; substantive scope changes are quoted transparently before work proceeds, so there are no surprise invoices.

17. Can you work with our existing engineers, architects or fabricators?

Absolutely. We frequently slot in alongside in-house engineering teams, principal architects, structural engineers and fabrication shops. We adapt to your file conventions, drawing standards and review workflows rather than imposing ours.

PRICING & ENGAGEMENT

18. How much does a KEVOS® project cost?

It depends on scope, complexity, deliverable format, and timeline. We quote three ways depending on the engagement: fixed-price for well-defined deliverables, hourly for exploratory or evolving work, and retainer (weekly or monthly) for ongoing CAD support. We don't publish rate cards because no two projects are the same — but every quote is itemised, transparent, and explained before you commit.

19. Do you offer free quotes?

Yes. Initial discovery conversations and project scoping are free. Once we understand your requirements, we'll send a written proposal with deliverables, milestones, fees and assumptions clearly laid out.

20. What are your payment terms?

Standard terms are 50% on engagement and 50% on delivery for fixed-price projects, or fortnightly invoicing for hourly and retainer work. We accept bank transfer (preferred for Australian clients) and other arrangements by negotiation. Detailed terms are included in every proposal.

21. Is there a minimum project size?

No formal minimum — we've taken on small sketch-to-CAD conversions and one-off shop drawings as readily as multi-month product development programmes. If the work is well-defined and we can deliver it well, we'll quote it.

22. Will you sign a fixed-price contract?

Yes, where the scope is clear enough to do so responsibly. For exploratory or unknown-scope work we'll often recommend a small paid scoping engagement first, so you get a defensible fixed price for the main delivery rather than a guess.

SOFTWARE, FILE FORMATS & DELIVERABLES

23. What software do you use?

SolidWorks for 3D parametric modelling, AutoCAD for 2D drafting, and complementary tools for FEA, plastic analysis, and architectural documentation. We're software-agnostic on the delivery side and can output to whatever format your downstream team uses.

24. What file formats do you deliver?

Native SolidWorks (.SLDPRT, .SLDASM, .SLDDRW), AutoCAD (.DWG, .DXF), neutral 3D formats (.STEP, .IGES, .STL, .Parasolid), PDF for review and approval, and any specific output your fabricator, certifier or printer requires. Tell us the format; we'll deliver to it.

25. Will I own the files and the IP after the project?

Yes. On full payment, you own the deliverables and the IP in the design (subject to background IP and any licensed third-party content). This is spelled out plainly in every engagement letter — no hidden licence-back clauses.

26. Can I get editable native files, or only PDFs?

Editable native files are part of the standard delivery for most engagements. Some retainer or consulting arrangements deliver PDFs only — but if you need the working files, just say so up front and we'll structure the engagement accordingly.

COMPLIANCE & AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS

27. Are your drawings compliant with Australian Standards?

Yes. We draft to the relevant Australian Standards (AS/NZS) for the discipline at hand — including AS 1100 for technical drawing, AS 4100 for structural steel, AS 3600 for concrete structures, AS 1170 for structural design actions, and the National Construction Code (NCC) for building work. Every project is documented to the standards your certifier, regulator or fabricator expects to see.

28. Can you provide engineer-certified drawings?

KEVOS® provides the design and drafting; where a registered professional engineer's sign-off is required (for example for structural certification or RPEQ submissions in Queensland), we coordinate with engineers we've worked with for years, or work alongside your nominated engineer of record. We don't pretend to be what we're not — but we make certification straightforward.

29. Do you handle BCA / NCC compliance for building projects?

Our architectural and civil documentation is produced with NCC and BCA requirements in mind. For NSW work, we're familiar with the Design and Building Practitioners Act framework and produce documentation that supports compliance pathways. For final certification, your private certifier or accredited Design Practitioner remains the sign-off authority.

30. Can you work to international standards (ISO, ASME, BS)?

Yes. We've delivered work to ISO, ASME Y14.5 (GD&T), and BS standards for clients exporting overseas or working with international supply chains. Tell us the standard up front and we'll structure the documentation accordingly.

CONFIDENTIALITY, IP & SECURITY

31. Will you sign an NDA before I share my project?

Yes — without hesitation. We sign mutual NDAs as a default for any project involving proprietary product designs, defence work, pre-patent IP, or commercially sensitive equipment. If you have your own NDA template, send it; if not, we'll provide one.

32. How do you protect my data and files?

Files are exchanged through secure cloud workspaces with access controls, not over open email. Internal systems are access-restricted, backed up, and segregated by client. We don't subcontract sensitive work offshore, and we don't reuse client IP across engagements. Defence and government work is handled with the additional protocols those programmes require.

33. Do you subcontract work overseas?

No. KEVOS® work is performed by our team in Australia. This matters for IP protection, response times, time-zone alignment, and — for defence and government clients — sovereignty requirements.

34. Will my project appear in your portfolio without permission?

Never. Case studies and portfolio work are published only with explicit client permission, and we'll happily anonymise sensitive details, omit clients entirely, or wait until a project is publicly launched before sharing anything.

INDUSTRIES & PROJECT TYPES

35. What industries have you worked across?

Food and pet food manufacturing, medical devices, defence and government infrastructure, mining and materials handling, hydrogen and clean energy, urban infrastructure, residential and commercial building, and consumer products. Our portfolio includes work for clients like EPTEC, Liquip International, MNA Solutions, and major Australian manufacturers.

36. Do you take on defence and government work?

Yes. We've delivered mechanical design, tooling, and infrastructure documentation for defence-grade applications — including paint line trolleys for defence product painting and modular girder systems for defence manufacturing. We understand the documentation rigour, sovereignty requirements and security considerations that come with this work.

37. Can KEVOS® help a startup or solo founder bring a product to market?

Yes — and we particularly enjoy this work. We offer focused consulting engagements designed for founders who need technical clarity: structured sessions that deliver clear next steps, considered recommendations, and the optional follow-up artefacts (diagrams, workflows, specifications) needed to move forward with confidence and avoid expensive mistakes early.

38. Do you do food-grade or hygiene-critical equipment design?

Yes. We've designed stainless steel maintenance platforms, hopper covers, bin collection systems and process equipment for Australia's pet food and food manufacturing sectors — work where hygiene specification, cleanability and material selection are non-negotiable.

TURNAROUND, LOGISTICS & GETTING STARTED

39. How long does a typical project take?

Genuinely depends on scope. A single shop drawing or sketch-to-CAD conversion might be days. A full product development programme with prototyping documentation can run weeks to months. A residential CDC package typically takes 3–6 weeks depending on complexity and council requirements. We give a realistic timeline in every quote, including dependencies on your inputs and external approvals.

40. Can you work to a tight deadline?

Often yes — but we'll be honest about whether the deadline is realistic and what trade-offs it implies. We won't take on rushed work that compromises the quality of the deliverable. If we can do it well in the time available, we will; if we can't, we'll tell you and suggest alternatives.

41. What information do you need to start a project?

At minimum: the problem you're solving, what already exists (drawings, photos, samples, scans), the standards or constraints the design has to meet, the deliverables you ultimately need, and the timeline and budget context. For physical reverse-engineering work, we'll arrange access to the part or asset, either at our studio or on-site.

42. How do I get started with KEVOS®?

Email us at info@kevos.com with a short description of your project — even a few lines is enough to begin a conversation. We'll respond with clarifying questions, set up a discovery call, and from there put together a written proposal. No pressure, no high-volume sales process, just a direct conversation about whether we're the right fit for the work.

Ready to build something better? Tell us about your project, your constraints, and the outcome you're working toward.