Objective:

Continue development of a proven electronic ship design tool that brings high technology efficiencies to smaller shipyards in a package better suited to them than design software employed by the first-tier yards.

Summary:

The project continued development of a proven electronic ship design tool (ShipConstructor) that brings significant design efficiencies to smaller shipyards in a software package better tailored to their needs while still having potential application at larger yards.

The overall project goal was to reduce ship design costs and time required, particularly for ships well suited for smaller yards. Bender Shipbuilding—teamed with seven other shipyards, design agents and software developers—developed a common, interoperable 3D computer-aided ship design capability based on the AutoCAD platform as augmented by the ShipConstructor software product. The effort resulted in a design system that takes advantage of the latest technologies to significantly enhance second-tier shipyard capabilities.

In the first year, the project team added core functionality to ShipConstructor through development of modules for Weld Tracking and Planning, and Electrical Design. In addition, they developed and implemented design education and training as a continuing education curriculum in two university programs.

Specific accomplishments for each of these modules include:

Weld Planning & Tracking Module

  • ShipConstructor completed user interfaces to handle welding types, editing and customizing symbols, processes, libraries, and schedules
  • Beta versions of the software were successfully tested with SSI supplied models and checked to be free of issues

Electrical Design Module

  • Wireway and cable routing functionality
  • Cable termination functionality
  • Component features, libraries and database elements
  • Reporting functions, features and formats

Education Module

  • College-level course for in-class or on-line administration, entitled “Applications of Modern Shipbuilding Design,” currently offered at University of Wisconsin-Marinette and University of South Alabama.

In the second year, the team developed a library of equipment and outfitting components that can be shared by all project participants, significantly decreasing design time on subsequent projects. They also developed a direct interface between Autodesk Inventor and ShipConstructor. This allows ship designers to develop equipment and component models using the powerful parametric tools in Autodesk Inventor and have the parts instantiated in the ShipConstructor database and automatically populated into the equipment module.

Final Report – Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Overview

Major Initiative: Shipdesign Icon
Information, Design, & Integration

Project Team:

  • Bender Shipbuilding & Repair
  • Austal USA
  • Bollinger Shipyards
  • Marinette Marine
  • Northrop Grumman Ship Systems
  • Todd Pacific Shipyards
  • VT Halter Marine
  • Atlantic Marine
  • Elliot Bay Design Group
  • Genoa Design International
  • Gibbs & Cox
  • Murray & Associates
  • ShipConstructor Software
  • ShipConstructor Software USA
  • Autodesk
  • University of Wisconsin at Marinette
  • University of South Alabama

January 2007 - October 2009

NSRP ASE Investment: $4.4M

Industry Investment: $5.1M

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