High Performance Large Yacht Construction Using Product Data Models

Victoria, BC, Canada, Tuesday 20th December 2005

“High Performance Large Yacht Construction Using Product Data Models” will be one paper presented during the Second High Performance Yacht Design Conference in Auckland, New Zealand, in February 2006. The paper describes in detail how the product data model can be applied to the design and construction of super yachts, a sector of the marine industry which has seen amazing growth in recent years. The use of such technology is important within this increasingly competitive industry in order to reduce time and costs associated with super yacht projects, and in order for western countries, such as New Zealand, to be able to compete with low-cost shipyards in Asia.

“There are substantial advantages to the 3-D PDM (Product Data Model) compared to paper drawings or even CAD (Computer Aided Drafted) generated drawings. First, of course, the geometry of the model is exact, inherent and three-dimensional, so measurements are reliable and unambiguous. Most importantly, there is only a single depiction of any given system or component in the files that make up the PDM, so there is no possibility of conflicts between drawings. Finally, the inclusion of non-graphic data increases the richness of the information included in the model.”

Several examples have been used throughout the paper to assist in the discussion of the topic and demonstrate how product data models can be applied to the super yacht industry. References have also been made to areas where product data models have already been embraced and the significant benefits shipyards have incurred by doing so.

The paper has been written by Mr. Rolf Oetter, President & CEO of ShipConstructor Software Inc., Mr. Chris Barry, Senior Naval Architect at the US Coast Guard Engineering Logistics Center, as well as Mr. Patrick Cahill, Chief Operating Officer of ShipConstructor Software USA, Inc. The Second High Performance Yacht Design Conference takes place February 14 to 16, 2006 at the University of Auckland.