ShipConstructor - Ship-Design Software

ShipConstructor produces state-of-the-art CAD / CAM shipbuilding software. Our highly adaptable and easy-to-use AutoCAD-based, three-dimensional ship product modeling, production planning and data-management software system can optimize production of naval defense, offshore, commercial, leisure, ferry and workboat ships.

ShipConstructor software provides a groundbreaking DDROM™ SmartParts™ 3D parametric modeling and revision system and is completely compatible with programs such as Inventor, Rhino, MaxSurf, Multisurf, NavisWorks, Napa, SolidWorks and all versions of SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005.

AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP DESIGN

The new-generation LHA-6, detail-designed in ShipConstructor by Northrop Grumman, replaces the LHA 1 class of amphibious assault ships. It will have the flexibility to operate in the traditional role as the flagship for an expeditionary strike group and potentially play a key role in the US Navy's Maritime Prepositioning Force's future.

MONO-HULL VESSEL DESIGN

T-AGM(R) is the support platform for the Cobra Judy Replacement (CFR) program, which provides worldwide, high-quality, high-resolution, multi-wavelength radar data. It will monitor missile launches, collect data which can be used to improve missile efficiency and accuracy, monitor strategic arms treaties, and support US military weapons test programs.

The design represents the development of a new US Navy mono-hull vessel using the existing AMSEC T-AGS 39 design. This is being designed, in ShipConstructor, by VT Halter Marine and AMSEC.

LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP PLATFORM DESIGN

USS Freedom (LCS-1) is the lead ship of two dramatically different US Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) platforms designed to be a fast, maneuverable, networked surface combatant for mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and humanitarian relief missions.

Lockheed Martin brought ShipConstructor into the project very early because the tight deadline required concurrent software creation of the design and production drawings in a highly compatible program. The creation of design walk-throughs over the Internet facilitated an open system of communication and project awareness among team members from Lockheed Martin, Gibbs and Cox, Bollinger Shipyards and Marinette Marine.

The competing LCS design, a ground-breaking trimaran hull, was also produced in ShipConstructor by Austal USA for the General Dynamics team. USS Independence (LCS-2) is nearing completion in the Austal USA yard in Alabama.

HIGH-SPEED LANDING CRAFT DESIGN

ShipConstructor's compatibility with other ship-design software allowed Elliott Bay Design Group to utilize AutoCAD, Rhino and SolidWorks for initial hull modeling of the US Navy's maritime prepositioning force high-speed landing craft before importing the design into ShipConstructor for the development of structure and piping.

More design aspects, including equipment, engines, jet drives and decking were also modeled before being imported into ShipConstructor. Once all pieces were modeled and brought together into a complete 3-D model, ShipConstructor generated production information for the project and ensure that each modeled piece fitted within a tight space with sufficient clearance.

OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL DESIGN

For this complex project involving a Canadian design team (Aker Yards Marine), an Australian detailing and production team (Tenix Defence) and the New Zealand Navy, ShipConstructor provided critical flexibility, security, communication and technical support to build the Otago, the first of two 85m offshore patrol vessels to complement the New Zealand Navy's seven-ship 'Project Protector' fleet.

Aker Yards Marine developed a 3-D ShipConstructor model of the key machinery spaces in the ship to assist with the production phase of the project, enabling the team to provide a full range of design services for the project. ShipConstructor partner Formation Design Systems provided on-site advice to assist Tenix with complex implementation issues, both to optimize the link between design and production and to deal with the project's multi-location set-up.

TANKER-TO-SHIP CONVERSION DESIGN SOFTWARE

Under significant time constraints to convert the commercial 38,000t chemical / oil tanker Delos into the Royal Australian Navy's auxiliary oiler NuShip Sirius, Australian Marine Technologies and Tenix Defence chose ShipConstructor to develop efficient construction and team-communication strategies.

ShipConstructor's structure, nesting and product hierarchy modules were used to design the aft flight deck and mid ship's 'A Deck' extension, which was modeled and exported to the shipbuilder for implementation and integration into the base ship. ShipConstructor's default output drawings were enhanced by adding frame and longitudinal names, adding additional views and sections to enable the production team to understand the geometry of the base ship's added modules.