Practical use of 3D product modeling in the small shipyard

Over the past several years, compelling advances have taken place in ship design three-dimensional product modeling systems. The most modern of these systems are PC-based, possess a single database, have electronic links to NC production equipment, and have interfaces with shipyard planning, production, and materials management. Small shipyards often hesitate to install one of these systems because of constraints such as the frequent need to generate one-off designs, reluctance to change from traditional 2D design, planning and production methods, small IR& D budgets, tight markets, stiff competition, and customers' desires for fast design-production turnaround. Also, the shipyard may choose from a spectrum of design systems in which the 3D product modeling systems are the most complex and expensive. Thus, small shipyards often perceive many disadvantages to purchasing ship design 3D product modeling systems, and believe the disadvantages are not sufficiently offset by advantages. These yards may be surprised to find that, in practice, a number of small shipyards have made a successful conversion to these systems, and several of these yards provide candid insights of actual advantages and disadvantages.