Feature 2 | CAD/CAM Maxsurf integrates into the future
Formsys have been continuing to add new features to their Maxsurf suite of naval architecture design soſtware.
suggestions for improvements are received from their large user-base which covers virtually all aspects of naval architecture and shipbuilding. The software development focuses on three key areas: increasing user productivity; integration with other systems; and additional functional capability. One of Formsys’
D fundamental goals
has always been to provide software which promotes high user productivity. Considerable effort is spent designing user-interfaces which are both intuitive and efficient. As CAD models become more and more detailed and analyses more and more complex, it is vital that mechanisms for effective model and data management are provided. Sometimes these features can be quite subtle but still provide considerable improvements in user productivity. It is also important to realise that different people have different workflows and perceptions of how soſtware should function. During the user-interface design, these subtleties must be addressed. To improve performance, the Maxsurf suite is now available in 64bit executables, and where possible, the power of multi-core systems is leveraged. To help users get the most from their soſtware, Formsys have started a series of on-line seminars and videos. Automation, where the Maxsurf suite can be driven from external soſtware (such as a macro in Microsoft Excel) facilitates repetitive tasks as well as greatly increasing the scope of what can be achieved with the soſtware. Maxsurf now reads and writes native
Rhino files and we have also developed a plug-in for Rhino to provide the functionality of the Maxsurf assembly in Rhino. Hydromax now reads and writes GHS (Creative Systems) files, including the compartmentation definition and critical points. Hydromax, Seakeeper and Hullspeed also read native nuShallo panel files for direct analysis. The range of analyses in Hydromax
continues to expand. Probabilistic damage has been included quite recently and in
48
evelopment of the suite continues to be very much user-driven as requests for features and
Simulation-driven design with FriendshipFramework (Friendship Systems) using Hydromax and Seakeeper (Formsys) for analysis.
enhancing their structural analysis soſtware, Multiframe, so that it now includes many more marine- and offshore-focused features; these include plate elements and marine- specific loadcases.
the latest version, MARPOL “Oil fuel tank protection” and “Accidental oil outflow performance” analyses are included. Tank calibrations can be carried out for tanks and
“As CAD models become more and more detailed and analyses more and more complex, it is vital that mechanisms for effective model and data management are provided”
compartments at a range of vessel trims and heels and the results can be exported in a form suitable for Fredyn. Formsys have been
Simulation driven design – accessible to all Due to the availability of cheap, yet extremely powerful desk-top computers and a broad range of structural and hydrodynamic analysis soſtware, simulation driven design is now very accessible to all naval architects. Te Maxsurf suite provides a comprehensive range of analysis tools suitable for initial design. Design-space exploration can be rapidly achieved by coupling these tools with parametric modelling techniques and taking advantage of the automation capabilities within the Maxsurf suite. For instance, Microsoft Excel can be used to generate models within the design-space (by manipulation of a suitable basis design in Maxsurf), then the required analyses can be performed in Hydromax, Seakeeper, Hullspeed, etc. and the results brought back into Excel for post-processing and review. Te whole system can be taken up a level
by using a more sophisticated integration platform such as the Friendship Framework (FFW) from Friendship Systems. The FFW provides sophisticated parametric modelling tools as well as tools for design- space exploration and optimisation. The FFW integrates with a wide range of analysis soſtware including the Maxsurf suite. Te integration of Maxsurf and the FFW has been documented in a paper (Numerical Hull Series for Calm Water and Sea-keeping by Couser, Harries and Tilling) to be presented at the 10th International Conference on Computer Applications and Information Technology in the Maritime Industries –COMPIT 2011– in Berlin in May (
www.compit.info). NA
The Naval Architect April 2011
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