Objective:
The primary goals of this project were to increase CAR-W system flexibility and efficiency by enabling on-line scanning of as-built parts; identify value-add use cases for production scan data and the “digital thread”; increase CAR-W system productivity by enabling automated, collision-free programming of multiple robots; and extend direct support to opt-in shipyards looking to align with CAR-W technology.
Summary:
The additions of 3D scanning capabilities and the potential for multi-robot capabilities to scale capacity on the robotic welding gantry system further alleviated shipyard labor requirements for active manual welding and the resources necessary to support robotic welding by providing the system with vision to identify and account for geometric variations between 3D CAD model and the actual “as-built” part. The scanning system also identified potential obstructions to the welding robot that may be in the production environment in which the part is fabricated.
In addition, the project virtually demonstrated the scalability of the robot system’s capacity through the addition of welding robot arms.
The project team continued the advancement of the industry-leading CAR-W technology by educating, and helping to eliminate roadblocks, within other NSRP member yards who are considering the adoption of CAR-W systems and workflows into their organizations.
Point of Contact:
Brent Tompkins | Bollinger Shipyards, LLC | brentt@bollingershipyards.com
Request Final Report from NSRP– Distribution authorized to project participants, NSRP ASE Program representatives, and U.S. Shipyards.
Overview
Project Team:
- Bollinger Shipyards
- VT Halter Maine
- Newport News Shipbuilding
- Austal USA
- Naval Surface Warfare Center- Carderock Division
- ShipConstructor Software USA
- Wolf Robotics, LLC
July 2017- June 2019
NSRP ASE Investment: $3M
Industry Investment: $3.1M