STRUCTURE ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Minimum hardware required: PI 600 (256 Mb for Win NT) Operating system(s): Windows NT, 2000, XP Most recent version date & number: August 2004 , 2005 v1.03 Number of installations: 150+ - Description - Object Enabler - Manual Structure&Nest 2004 - Capabilities & New features - Manual Structure Tutorial 2004 - Current price structure     Description _________________________________________________________________   ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Structure provides 3D structural production detail with the ease of 2D drafting. Utilizing AutoCAD, it provides powerful 3D ship product modeling functions. Everything is tightly controlled by Manager. The Navigator provides quick and easy access to all drawings in the project. Build strategy provides an easy means to define and check logically and visually different production sequences. 3D assembly drawings are automatically generated from the product models providing production with the best documentation possible. Customers report up to 50% savings in assembly hours by switching from 2D workshop drawings to 3D assembly drawings in conjunction with profile cut lists and plots. This is a list of features incorporated into the ShipConstructor Structure module. This is not a comprehensive listing, if you have any inquiries regarding additional features, please contact us. Return to top     Capabilities & New features _________________________________________________________________   :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: New! Weld Seam Reliefs Weld seam relief cutouts in stiffeners are now easier to create. This feature lets the user insert a cutout into many stiffeners at once Stiffener Plots Stiffener plots are currently rarely used by small yards, because the work involved in creating them outweighed the potential savings in production. This function will revolutionize production of stiffeners and generate large production savings. Finally everyone can utilize the advantages of group technology that has transformed mass production a long time ago. The stiffener plot function automatically generates plots for each stiffener, which are fully dimensioned, utilizing customizable ShipConstructor templates for total flexibility. Interference Detection ShipConstructor is the first PC-based program allowing for interference detection between structure, pipe, and outfitting items. Better yet, the detected interferences can be assigned a solution which can be implemented by simply selected a menu item. Consider updating dozens of drawings with even more interferences while having a small (very small) cup of coffee. Previously, some of our customers could spend man-weeks of piping penetration implementation and changes per vessel. Replicate Parts Identical parts such as frames in the parallel mid-body can be defined in one frame and then automatically replicated to all frames that contain the same parts. Better yet, a change to one identical part is detected and the user is offered to change just this part or update all. This function not only works within one unit, but also can be used to cross over to one or more other units. Transfer Groups to Other Units This function allows easy optimization of build strategy late in the modeling process. For this purpose users can transfer complete group drawings with all parts from one unit to another. Twisted Stiffeners Import stringer files from ShipCAM as ShipConstructor's Twisted Stiffeners objects. In addition to allowing for a more complete structural model with Weight & CG, the twisted stiffeners can be used in Cutout Insertion from Drawings to define cutouts in any type of group drawing. Profile Editing Profile editing can be invoked directly from the part properties dialog, giving convenient access to all profile specific features such as changing profile size, toe direction, end cuts and more. Cutouts from Other Drawings The function interrogates all intersecting stiffeners and inserts the appropriate cutouts automatically. Cutout Stretching Cutouts are automatically stretched for all non-perpendicular intersections. When ShipConstructor does a cutout insertion that is non-perpendicular to the plane it intelligently stretches the cutout to fit. This eliminates tedious calculations or developing graphical solutions. Quality Control Matrix Any drawing can be fitted with a quality control matrix, which consists of markers ('A', 'B', ...) and a matrix giving the checking dimension in an easy-to-read format. Space for the "as-built" dimensions is placed below the "as-designed" dimensions for convenient tracking of build quality and means for statistical analysis for tracking weld-shrinkage compensation. Weld Shrinkage For the first time, a PC-based system implements weld-shrinkage compensation easily. The accurately sized plate parts are simply fitted with an icon indicating the expected weld shrinkage directions and amounts. The parts are then automatically "oversized" during nesting. Shrinkage amounts can be in either percent or absolute values. Object Property Manager (OPM) The OPM is a new feature provided by AutoCAD2000. The properties of Structure's custom entities, such as stiffeners, faceplates, pipes, and outfits, can be conveniently accessed and modified using the OPM. Context Menus AutoCAD2000/i/2002 supports right-click context menus, which display items specific to the currently selected object. ShipConstructor commands are implemented in these menus for all custom objects. Plate Part Validation Experience has shown that it can be quite difficult for a user to select all entities properly when defining large plate parts with plenty of marking. The part validation function checks for any items that are outside or crossing the outside cutting tool path. Demand Loading ShipConstructor can be demand loaded. Simply use any of its commands or open any drawing using ShipConstructor custom entities and the program will be automatically loaded into the current AutoCAD session. Persistent Dialogs Dialogs maintain user specific settings like size and location even after re-starting AutoCAD. ShipConstructor Snaps The "project-into-UCS" option projects any pick point, while drafting, into the current UCS. This is very important when drafting with reference to structure or pipe which are located in 3D space on a specific plane, such as a deck or frame. A further "absolute-ortho" sets drawing in a plane while maintaining relationships to off-plane structure, piping or outfitting items Assembly Drawings Creating an assembly master is now a thing of the past, cutting down on potential errors. The assembly drawing generation process gets all required parts for specific assemblies directly from the current 3D model. The importance of assembly drawings can not be overstated. From our experience we can say that companies that have implemented 3D assembly drawings have reported much greater gains in saved man-hours and improved quality than companies that preferred to use traditional workshop drawings Creating drawings of all assembly stages used to be a daunting task that most shipyards avoided. Structure produces assembly drawings quickly and easily. The system can create dozens of assembly drawings within minutes that just require final annotations. As with nest drawings, user customizable templates are prepared with keywords as place holders for up-to-date data from the database. A customizable BOM is generated for all parts in the assembly. Even an automatically generated quality control matrix shows key dimensions and provides space for actual dimension for quality control purposes. Optional key map views indicating the location of the assembly within the unit can be automatically generated as well. 2D Planar Group Drawings All drawings involving a project are organized in construction blocks or construction units (a unit being the largest movable entity in the yard). This could be the complete hull and super structure of a sail boat, or one of many units making up a large vessel. A unit drawing is always 3-dimensional, but is composed of many "2D planar group" drawings. Many people can work on the same unit, since one designer or drafter can work on each individual planar group drawing in parallel. All detailing in a 2D planar group drawing is easily accomplished working in 2D. All changes made in the 2D planar group are immediately reflected in the 3D-unit drawing. Structure and Manager keep track of all the changes. Shipbuilding specific CAD functions are supplied for automatically expanding flanges, making faceplates, extruding stiffeners, and solids to speed up the drafting process and reduce errors. Workshop Drawings Workshop drawings show frames side-by-side with decks and girders and are easily created with Manager. A "live" link is maintained to the 3D model and all 2D group drawings. Thus, the workshop drawing is updated anytime the original group drawing is changed. No more tedious manual updating of drawings for revisions. Traditionally, workshop drawings have been used in the production process. However, experience has shown that making the transition to 3D assembly drawings saves enormous amounts of time. Much time is spent by production staff interpreting 2D drawings to understand how parts fit in 3D space. Often times several drawings have to be consulted to get the right picture. Misunderstandings are a daily occurrence, and re-work is the rule. Bender Shipbuilding has experiences up to 50% of reduction of man-hours in unit assembly by implementing work packages based on 3D assembly drawings. However, workshop drawings are the perfect tool to step up to 3D design drafting. Join designers and yards already utilizing the many advantages of a 3D product model from the early concept phase on. Use the workshop drawing feature to produce typical 2D approval packages and 2D general arrangement drawings. Stiffener Parts Stiffeners are easily created from a simple AutoCAD line or poly line. Stiffener profile cross-section and endcuts are used as defined in the Manager parts library. Simply click on the extrusion path and select the standard stiffener from the stock list. Assign stiffener endcuts by selecting the endcuts from the stock library. Define trims at the end for non-square cuts. Even select endcuts that are defined as standards in Manager. Faceplate Parts Faceplates are easily created running flat bar stock from the Manager library along the edge of a plate part. Structure automatically calculates all bending radii and bend tangent positions along the length of the flat bar stock, and adds the data to the part record. Start and end positions of the flat bar are marked automatically on the drawing. Flanged Plates Flanges, a solid with an actual flange and an expanded drawing ready for NC processing, can be created automatically by using the Manager settings. Just click on the part to flange and select a flange type from the displayed dialog. These flanges can become company standard and can be re-used for future projects. Return to top Link to ShipConstructor.com Back