Feature 3 | CAD/CAM upDAte
ShipConstructor responds to enterprise
clients
The latest release of ShipConstructor 2009, a 3D CAD/CAM software toolset
for the shipbuilding and offshore industries, is specifically targeted for use on
large-scale projects.
T
he latest version includes numerous from the product model, designers using allowing the support to be constrained by,
enhancements designed to increase ShipConstructor now have a tool that will and automatically adapt to, design changes
efficiency for the user when allow them a greater understanding of the as the project progresses.
working with complex 3D product models overall design say SSI. Effective Design Reuse
as well as features aimed at reducing costs. Improved Material Utilisation Another DFP-based enhancement was
Darren Larkins, deputy CEO, Material costs are one of the most significant a set of functionality allowing for the
ShipConstructor Software Inc. (SSI) said: costs in shipbuilding and offshore projects. standardisation of commonly used
“By listening specifically to the challenges Great care is taken to ensure that the assemblies, including items such as simple
faced by our enterprise clients and reacting nesting process, in a shipyard is as efficient panels, ladders, equipment complete with
accordingly, SSI has introduced a series of as possible to maximise utilisation of the standard foundations, pipe manifolds, and
enhancements that bring this philosophy available raw plate. ShipConstructor has handrails etc.
to the most complex projects.” improved its automated nesting software In addition to allowing these common
64-bit Support capabilities with the introduction of an items to be modelled once and used
In a move intended to satisfy key customers enhanced nest optimisation engine. The many times, these Standard Assemblies
such as Brazil’s Estaleiro Atlântico Sul software is available at no extra cost to include the production documentation
(EAS), SSI has introduced 64-bit capability ShipConstructor clients, test results have required for fabrication. These production
to its entire product line on the Microsoft shown that clients can expect to see up documents include 3D Assembly
Windows Vista and Windows 7 platforms. to a 6% improvement in overall plate drawings for each stage in the fabrication
As a result it is expected that EAS will see utilisation. When taken over the quantity of the assembly. When changes are made
tangible benefits on the 14 Suezmax, seven of material used on a typical commercial to the Standard Assembly definition or
Aframax and one P55 semi-submersible vessel, this represents a significant and the related construction documents,
platform that the yard is currently building ongoing savings. all instances where it has been used are
say SSI. Intelligent Distributed System Supports automatically changed as well.
This added capability of the software In an effort to improve ShipConstructor’s Space Allocations
will allow modellers to load larger portions capabilities in the area of pipe and heating, One of the most significant challenges
of the 3D model into a single working ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC ) encountered during the detailed design
session at a greater level of detail and supports, SSI collaborated with Northrop process of a complex ship or offshore
with increased programme stability. The Grumman Shipbuilding (Avondale structure, is in determining and reserving
volume of reference information which, & Pascagoula), Bollinger Shipyards, space for the various systems (pipe, HVAC,
will be available when a designer adds Marinette Marine, VT Halter Marine and electrical, etc…). The ability to reserve this
to the 3D product model or changes an Genoa Design International as part of a US space early in the design will improve the
existing design, can be directly correlated National Shipbuilding Research Project. overall efficiency of the design process.
with the number of design errors that The resulting Distributed Systems This latest version of ShipConstructor
are introduced. Supports module is a rule-based programme will provide an intuitive set of tools
Democratising Virtual Reality for the creation of distributed system that allows for the allocation of space
Improvements to the creation of Virtual supports. In line with SSI’s other efforts for the required systems well before
Reality (VR) models will mean designers around Design for Production (DFP), the they are modelled. The allocated
will be able to create a detailed VR model software allows an experienced designer space is parametrically associated
from the 3D product model. Numerous to inject knowledge based rules into the with the wireways in the upcoming
custom visualisation options, which library of supports which are available ShipConstructor Electrical module.
control the overall creation process are during the 3D modelling process. Changes to the allocated space will be
available with the software and can be This enhanced module offers parametric automatically propagated to the detailed
set depending on the intended use of the design based on a broad range of industry electrical system model, providing a
VR model from the customer. Due to the standard supports. Each support is bridge between the earlier stages of the
ease with which these VR models can associated with a set of pipes and pipe design process and the final production
be created, complete with attribute data hangers as well as foundational structure, design. NA
62 The Naval Architect January 2010
NA Jan 10 -
p62.indd 62 12/01/2010 11:55:17
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