The development of a Block Modeler using parts with parametric definitions for the shipbuilding automation (SICE-ICCAS 2006)

For the last few years, shipping industries have been trying to develop their own CAD system based on the concept of 3D modeling technology, but due to the difficulty and complexity in development of 3D software, many companies have either stopped or are going through hardships and having a hard time. The existing Modeler is not affected by the characteristics of the manufacturing process in ship industries, because it relies on an exclusive CAD system for the machine design. Hence on the whole the design process in the manufacturing of a ship is a combination of the design of structures with that of machinery. It is difficult to develop a CAD system that integrates those and constructs an enormous database related to ship manufacturing. Owing to these difficulties, nowadays an intermediate stage was introduced as a solution, between 2D and 3D design in many companies. All things considered, it still takes a lot of time to implement this CAD solution for the next generation design in the yard. Until the complete development of the integrated CAD system, we face a problem of how to efficiently give the CAD information to the automated system. Through this paper, we suggest a Block Modeler that can design assembly blocks, using previously defined standard parts whose sizes and properties can be changed according to the requirement, hence making the job of recycling the information regarding the sizes and properties of the parts easy for the user