CAD
Design
Computer Modeling and Testing
 Computer
modeling is by far the most efficient means of defining hull form,
offering a designer access to powerful analysis tools for assessing
stability and performance, as well as a highly accurate means of creating
the structural parts and pieces of a boat via computer controlled cutting.
 These
new boats have been developed through extensive model testing, research,
and development.
Today all the newest
boats have picked up on this design revolution. And, several discoveries
have been adopted by various manufacturers.
 At
Sea Ray, state-of-the-art three-dimensional modeling software allows
their digital schematics to be perfectly recreated in master-mold tooling.
Computer
Controlled
Cutting for Boat Manufacturing
Even though computer
cutting has been around for large ships for several decades by now,
it is at times quite an undertaking to overcome the reticence people
have in embracing computer cutting technology for smaller metal vessels,
in particular for yachts.
 Sea
Ray's computer-driven five-axis mill routers cut to tolerances of 1/20,000th
of an inch.
For smaller vessels
of the size used for family voyaging (say under 80 feet), it is relatively
uncommon in the United States to find boat builders taking advantage
of computer cutting, or even advocating that it be used. However, more
advanced builders are turning to such techniques to improve overall
product quality while reducing costs.
Beneteau's
Computer Controlled High Quality Interior Woodkit
Beneteau's
Interior furniture kit. These furniture kits are produced by the Beneteau
wood shop and shipped to the various production plants in France and
the Marion, SC site. The wood is completely finished with varnish and
ready for assembly. Beneteau's furniture factory runs 3 shifts producing
over 6,000 finished pieces of furniture per day and a completed wood
kit every 15 minutes. This speed is achieved by the use of many huge
computer controlled cutting and finishing machines combined with some
of the finest woodworkers in the world.
Estimates of the
building time saved will vary from one builder to another, depending
the degree of experience they've had with computer controlled cut boats.
Most builders report being able to effect a 40 to 60 percent savings
on the hull building labor.
In general a builder
can expect to save some two to four hours of construction time for
each hour spent at the computer. One can readily begin to see the cost
advantages.
It is clear that
this kind of savings adds up quickly and can help decrease the cost
of the overall boat, a benefit for both the manufacturer and the customer
while providing improved quality and consistency of build. |
Subscribe to our FREE Boating eNewsletter.