At Digital Dry Dock, we combine naval architecture with the latest digital technologies to significantly reduce project costs, schedules and the time vessels spend in dry dock. Often, our technology removes the need for time spent in dry dock altogether. In our latest blog series, Digital Solutions for Naval Architecture, we share some case studies with you to demonstrate how we gather data and how this helps our customers to build things in a smarter, faster way. In these three recent examples, we were able to support maritime businesses to deliver CAD support for new passenger ferries, to ensure compliance with naval architectural standards and to create 3D half models for use in design and decoration.

St Michael’s Mount Passenger Ferries

St Michael’s Mount is a tidal island in Mount’s Bay, Cornwall. Accessible via a set of iconic granite steps at low tide, as the tide rises the historic castle and its surrounding gardens can be accessed only via the passenger ferries. According to St Aubyn Estates, the Mount welcomes as many as 350,000 visitors per year. There are nine passenger ferries which service the island, operating between the end of March and the end of October.

The Mount had two new ferries built, ready for the start of the 2018 season. Happy with the outcome, they decided to produce four more identical boats. However, they wanted to switch boat builders and didn’t have any CAD drawings to work from, as the originals were custom small-scale builds.

Digital Solutions for Naval Architecture – CAD

We were approached by M2ED & St Aubyn Estates to see if we could help them replicate the new passenger ferries. Soon afterwards, we deployed to Mount’s Bay and scanned one of the two existing vessels to gather data for a complete set of CAD construction drawings and models. The combined interior and exterior scan took one day, including confined compartments such as the bilges and lockers. Digital Dry Dock was also able to scan the moulds, all of which made it possible to supply a set of detailed images and full-scale templates so the new builder could quickly understand the construction process.

The Result

Within one month of scanning, M2ED & St Aubyn Estates were supplied with the CAD package of 2D drawings and 3D models they needed to create exact replicates of their new ferries. The Mount then used the digital drawings & models for the build tendering process where, after having an opportunity to review the CAD work, local boat builders were asked to bid for the work. Once a builder was selected, Digital Dry Dock was available on request to supply any additional information needed. For example, to extract measurements from our scan results if there was something the builders were unable to get from the drawings.

St Aubyn Estate is the proud owner of two additional new passenger ferries, with the remaining two set to be ready to service the island in time for the end of this year.

The post Digital Solutions for Naval Architecture 1 – Rapid Delivery of CAD for New Passenger Ferries for St Michael’s Mount appeared first on Digital Dry Dock Ltd.

Why is reverse engineering necessary?

 Before we start, it’s worth considering some of the reasons why reverse engineering may be necessary for boat builders, boat owners and other marine stakeholders. Here are some of the main reasons, all of which our digital laser scanning solutions can help you with:

• Existing designs may be drawn on paper or developed without drawings
• Existing CAD designs may not be accurate
• Existing CAD designs may be missing or lost
• Production moulds may have been bought from original creators without the CAD designs

 Click here to learn more about Digital Dry Dock’s services, and how we can reverse engineer CAD models for your vessel.

Point Cloud over Mesh Model

The Multimarine Project

Redesigning vessels to keep up with the latest trends and technologies is crucial to maintaining Multimarine’s reputation as ‘unique innovative and highly personalised boatbuilders’. On this occasion, our role was to create CAD models of the hull and deck structures of some of their vessels and full CAD models of some of their small production catamarans. These CAD models will now be used to design new variants of the existing craft, so that they can customise and fine tune the original designs.

How was the work carried out?

Ollie visited Multimarine and scanned a mixture of GRP moulds and GRP boats within the same day. He was able to use laser scanners to create digital twins of the vessels and to capture their hull and deck forms. From the point of scanning, the data was processed within two days to create 3D CAD models with an accuracy of less than 3 millimetres.

 What was the alternative to laser scanning?

 Without laser scanning, a skilled draughtsman would have needed to take painstaking manual point measurements along slices through the hull shape at known intervals. They would then ‘loft’ lines and surfaces through them to redraw a very similar representation of the subject. This would take days rather than hours and be far less accurate, regardless of the skill of the draughtsman.

How will Multimarine use these CAD drawings?

Once they received the 2D and 3D CAD drawings, Multimarine were able to design modifications on top of them, to improve the existing vessel design. This means they can create new production moulds, bespoke parts or new customisations with high accuracy and precision.

What did Multimarine have to say?

 “I’d like to thank again the team at Digital Dry Dock for the amazing scanning work we received the other week. We have been looking to digitise a variety of older vessels in our yard that did not have up to date CAD files. 

Ollie Graffy assisted us using scanning gear and point cloud mapping software, providing us with accurate hull and deck models. These models… will allow us to further hull development for resistance and stability assessments, while providing us a basis to develop new interior and deck configurations.”

– Luca, Multimarine Designer

To learn more about how we can help you with reverse engineering CAD designs and much more visit our website. Or get in touch at info@digitaldrydock.co.uk.

The post Laser Scanning to CAD for Production Boat Builders. appeared first on Digital Dry Dock Ltd.

Global supply, demand and shipping schedules amongst other things can often cause complications when sourcing vessel components. Delays on part arrivals can be frustrating, delaying project timelines or holding up port departure dates. Even more so, being unable to source parts at all can create unwelcome headaches for marine stakeholders, especially when the rest of the vessel and crew are ready.

Over the past twelve months Digital Dry Dock has been working to provide a solution to delayed or unavailable vessel parts. Using our 3D laser scanning technology, we are now able to handle everything from measuring and manufacturing to delivery, all within short timeframes.

Rapid supply of vessel components for all marine stakeholders

3D laser scanning presents a solution for shipyards, shipowners, ship operators, shipping agents and yacht agents when in need of rapid supply of custom-made vessel components. Using our state of the art laser scanning technology, we are able to scan complex parts, create precise 3D CAD models and work with our trusted CNC machinist subcontractors to create fit for purpose components in short notice. We are able to organise international logistics and customs clearances to avoid any unexpected delays in the delivery of parts. This process is also available to create components which are no longer manufactured.

Types of component supplied

As long as there is an existing part to work from, or detailed 3D CAD model, we can re create any vessel component. Using hand scanners, sometimes in conjunction with manual measurements and existing 2D drawings, Digital Dry Dock are able to create 3D CAD models with exceptional accuracy. Here are some examples of parts we have scanned and manufactured in recent months, from toilet seats to complex rig and hatch components.

Mast components and fittings

Using Creaform metrology grade scanners, we were able to provide accurate data to Rondal – industry leading superyacht supplier-on a section through a large carbon mast. This included the position of a pair of holes in relation to one another, so they could design parts to fit into the holes on each side of the mast.

In addition, Rondal sent us a 3D CAD model of a complex mast fittings which needed to be manufactured and supplied to a vessel in the Mediterranean. We were able to do so within a tight pre-Christmas timeline.

Electrical Switch Panels

Also, for a classic sailing yacht, Digital Dry Dock was able to make new fascias for the electrical switchboards. By scanning the panel, we were able to create CAD drawings which were used to CNC machine new fascias with correct and updated labelling.

Speeding up delivery timelines

Because we know the nature of the marine industry, we are happy to think outside the box when it comes to delivery timelines. We are able to consider timeframes that most other suppliers would not be able to, because we have developed strong relationships with international couriers and air freight companies. We can pull out all the stops to get a yacht in service at short notice, or go with a trusted conventional courier to keep the costs down. We work with our clients’ priorities and budgets to do everything we can to get a vessel seaworthy in a timeframe that works for them.

If you’d like to see how Digital Dry Dock’s 3D laser scanning services can help your vessel or business, please contact info@digitaldrydock.co.uk.

The post Using 3D laser scanning for rapid supply of vessel parts appeared first on Digital Dry Dock Ltd.