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65»' Anniversary Edition available that developed information for surface definition, piece part design and development of code to automatically drive Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) torches that cut steel. Some of this software also included features to do various analyses, especially stability. The larger shipyards rapidly adopted these integrated systems throughout the 70s. The late 80s saw the emergence of several hull surface definition programs for PCs, as small computers with graph- ic capability became readily available. Small shipyards adopted PC-DOS based processes, which interfaced specialized surface definition programs, off-the- shelf Computer Aided Drafting soft- ware, mainly AutoCAD, and stand alone CNC code generators. One typical such interfaced process was used at Munson Manufacturing of Edmonds, Wash., a builder of small alu- minum workboats. In 1991, Munson used Baseline, for preliminary hull sur- face definition. The files were then transferred to ShipCAM, for detailed fairing, definition of developable sur- faces, plate expansions and other lofting functions. This data was then trans- ferred to AutoCAD for part detailing in 2D and to GHS for stability and flota- tion analysis. Structural, weight and mechanical analyses were performed with spreadsheets. Files of the parts nested together on a "burn sheet" were transferred by modem to Farwest Steel, for cutting. Shortly after, a truck with the CNC plasma cut parts arrived, ready to be erected. As a result, delivery times and labor costs were reduced. The next challenge was to change shipyard practices to best take advan- tage of the new tools. The Coast Guard Yard, in Curtis Bay, Md.. was a typical example of reengineering shipbuilding processes to take advantage of CAD/CAM. The Yard also used Albacore Research, Ltd.'s ShipCAM. It had been some years since their last new construction project, when they were awarded a run of 27 49BUSLs (small buoy tenders). The Yard was also the first federal organization to be ISO 9001 certified. Thus, when the Yard imple- mented a production CAD/CAM system it was systematically integrated into the production process, through the use of Maritime Activity «,„ Reports makes its ..J „c debut as the mar- - itime industry's ... information source. Total Quality Management techniques, looking for changes and streamlining processes. This proved to be another important advance, though one enabled by technology, rather than an advance in technology itself. The lesson from this is that CAD/CAM in particular and computers in general afford significant opportuni- ties for improvement, and the wider one looks for improvements, the more opportunities. The precision offered by CAD/CAM has been especially impor- tant in modular construction, because it' the parts are exactly defined and guaran- teed to fit, they can be made anywhere and outfitted ahead of time. Other opportunities include concurrent engi- neering, palletization and group technol- ogy. improved techniques for control- ling and scheduling work and better R A X X ® • Aggressive UHMW Non-Skid • High Visibility UV Colors • Tactile Warning Surface • .3" x 4'x 10'Sheet Size • Product Display Available 800.872.8469 IIITHAP0IY 253.272.1457 (fax) Web http://www.ultrapoly.com E-mail sales@ultrapoly.com Circle 268 on Reader Service Card Cowboys are renowned for their accurate roping abilities. If every vessel had a cowboy on board, mooring would be simple. For those of you who are not cowboys, we have the Restech PLT Mooring 75. This durable, easy to use pneumatic line thrower makes accurate mooring simple. 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Over pressure is also protected against by an automatic one-way valve. • It's the size of a grapefruit • Explosion proof housing • Accuracy .3% full scale • Automatic over-pressure valve • Automatic stop valve for air failure • Automatic cleaning of bubbling line • Connection for pressurized tanks • 2 pair 24 VDC and 4-20mA cable • Top or side mount Many Options Call today for more informationI ELECTRONIC MARINE SYSTEMS, INC. 800 Ferndale Place Rahway, NJ 07065 732.382.4344 732.388.5111 fax emsmarcon@aol.com e-mail http://www.emsmarcon.com Circle 253 on Reader Service Card Circle 218 on Reader Service Card August 2004 35
