SOME EXPERIENCES IN IMPLEMENTING NUMERICAL METHODS IN A SHIPYARD

The Authors (of, respectively, Cammel Laird and B.S.R.A.) relate some experiences gained, during the first phase of a period of modernisation at Cammel Laird's shipyard, in introducing numerical processes into production (so complementing the established use of computers in the design office). Some problems and solutions of general interest are discussed. Three main topics are considered. The first concerns initial planning, and covers the scheduling of the implementation period, the training of parts programmers, and the establishment of lines of communication. The changeover calls for flexibility in the numerical methods and the occasional tuning of the software. The second topic is the application area. The BRITFAIR and BRITSHELL modules of BRITSHIPS have been applied to the StaT 32 and StaT 55 series hull-forms and, more recently, to StaFF 20. Control tapes for NC flame-cutting have been produced, together with manufacturing information for shell setts and shell-jig heights. A proprietary system of marking for longitudinal and transverse frames has been introduced. Data links have been investigated, and the B.S.R.A. bureau service is used "on-line" when appropriate. Finally, some lessons learned during the introduction of numerical methods are summarized. The introduction of these methods entailed a re-appraisal of the shipbuilding process and its areas of responsibility, and formalised the lines of communication. The production departments' confidence in the system has had to be won; information exhange is invaluable for this. Continuing collaboration between the systems analysts and the production departments is essential if the experience gained from one ship is to be exploited in the next.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Preprints of International Conference on Computer Applications in the Automation of Shipyard Operation and Ship Design (ICCAS), Gothenburg, June 1976.
• Corporate Authors:

  North-Holland Publishing Company

  52 Vanderbilt Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10017
• Authors:
  • Atkinson, D W
  • McConnell, D C
• Publication Date: 1976-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 6 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automation; Computers; Flame cutting; Numerical control; Planning; Production; Production control; Shipbuilding; Shipyards
• Old TRIS Terms: Flame cutting machines; Numerical control systems; Shipyard automation; Shipyard mechanization
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00148633
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Ship Research Association
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 23 1977 12:00AM