Better, faster, more integrated software

More powerful hardware has allowed CAD/CAM software to be developed to produce much larger, more complex ship designs.

Computer hardware technology has advanced in giant strides since the original introduction of CAD/CAM software. The result is the availability of affordable hardware which has allowed software manufacturers to provide improved integrated design packages with more modules, and greater functionality. They are easier to use, give faster and more detailed results, and have the ability to disseminate the information to more people. Often design work can now be achieved on an ordinary PC, the only constraint being the size of its memory.

Autoship Systems Features to be added this year to US company Autoship Systems` suite of Windows-based CAD/CAM modules includes the 7.1 version of design/surface modelling program Autoship 7, and the 5.1 version of Autohydro.

The company has also launched a bundled suite of programs for medium- to large-size shipyards. The Autoship 7.0 CAD Package is an integrated suite of programs for hull design, hydrostatics and stability, internal structural design, resistance and power prediction, and shell expansion.

Kockums Computer Systems Due for launch in mid-April by Kockums is a new weld planning system in Tribon 4 on Windows NT. This module will provide precise weld path data, allow weld joints to be collected into weld sequences, and automatically calculates weld parameters, says the company. It will also select a weld process by automatically extracting the welding information for each stage of production, from the assembly definition in the Tribon Information Model.

Dassault Systemes Last year, release 2.0 of CATIA CADAM Shipbuilding Solutions software from Dassault Systemes, France, provided shipbuilders with what it calls an integrated end-to-end or concept-to-operation solution. This has extended 3D modeling features, industry standard support, and new generative capabilities in ship hull steelwork design.

Sener
Launched at the end of 1997, Sener says that its FORAN V40 is the only CAD/CAM/CIM system which can be operated on commercially available PCs under the Windows NT system. It is also fully portable across many hardware and operating systems, including UNIX and OpenVMS.

Maxsurf
In June last year Australian company Formations Design Systems released both its Maxsurf CAD/CAM and Hydromax Version 7.0 in Windows 95/98/NT.

The new version 7.1 of both Maxsurf and Hydromax increases the systems` performance by between 10 Š 40 per cent, improves data exchange, and has upgrades on-line help, the company says. Maxsurf 7.1 for Windows can import much larger models from other CAD sytems with no limit on the number of surfaces or control points in the model.

Defcar Engineering
Defcar has been working on improving the software interfaces with other CAD-CAM systems, and new versions of all modules will be launched soon. The added capabilities include the ability for piece export in SAT format, through ACIS technology, to interface with Autocad, Microstation, and some naval CAD/CAM systems, and the import/export of Nurb surfaces with IGES format.

Parametric Technology Corpn
In an $8.2 million order signed recently with Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea PTC is to supply the yard with Pro/Engineer and Windchill software and services. It marks the first time that a Korean yard will apply Internet-based product information management technology to constructing commercial vessels.

Intergraph Corpn
Intergraph Corporation is developing a next-generation system for ship design, construction, and management. The PC software provides designers, planners, and other team members with a virtual design world of 3D graphics, wizards, and expert assistance, the company says.