U.S. COAST GUARD DEEPWATER PROGRAM

Shipbuilder
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Avondale Operations, USA

Project
U.S. Coast Guard Deepwater Program: National Security Cutter and Offshore Security Cutter

ShipConstructor Modules
ShipCAM, Structure, Pipe, HVAC, Outfit, AutomaticNest, NC-Pyros, Manager

Project Highlights
NGSS has more than 60 users working on the National Security Cutter project who found ShipConstructor to be very user-friendly and easy to use.

Stock Libraries - During start-up a number of users have been busy building the libraries and loading existing data from other in-house systems into ShipConstructor. Avondale and SSI have together developed a file exchange mechanism that lets Avondale users import large amounts of pipe stock into the ShipConstructor libraries.

Network Installation - During initial testing ShipConstructor was run as a standalone installation and then moved to a full network installation very easily and quickly. No stoppage to production was encountered.

Excellent Customer Support - NC-cutting was tested and found to work well, with the response time from SSI's expert support team said to be excellent and timely. SSI provided configuration files for the Avondale specific NC-cutting machines within 24 hours of receiving burning machine details.

Nesting - The lofting department is very happy with the ease of using NC-Pyros, and the nesting module. Changes to the nests can very easily be implemented before cutting and ShipConstructor's revision checking functions ensure they always have the latest parts in the nests.

SQL Database - The National Security Cutter project consists of 40 structural units, and is anticipated to consist in excess of 50,000 modeled parts when completed. The SQL database runs smoothly and requires very little maintenance other than the scheduled backups. There has not been a single data corruption or loss of data to date. Users noted improvement in efficiency and closer cooperation between departments with implementation of ShipConstructor.