| ShipConstructor2004:
running inside AutoCAD2004, introducing new Penetrations and
HVAC modules
Albacore
Research Ltd. (ARL), Canada, develops ShipConstructor, the
easy-to-use, AutoCAD based product modeling tool for ships
and offshore structures of all sizes.
ShipConstructor2004 will be released
in October 2003, providing many enhancements to existing modules
plus two completely new modules: Penetrations
and HVAC. ShipConstructor2004 will now also
support AutoCAD2004 in addition to AutoCAD2000 through 2002.
The implementation of spec driven piping penetrations in structure
is now made easy with the new Penetrations module. Sleeves,
collars, doubler plates, and other accessories are now part
of Penetrations. This module comes with a
sophisticated approval system, including user permission settings,
standardization tools, and a revision history.
Figure 1: The Penetrations Approval Process
The
Penetrations module, currently tailored to pipe penetrations,
will be upgraded with functions for HVAC in Spring 2004.
HVAC is ShipConstructor’s
new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning 3D modelling
module, beta tested by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Avondale
Operations. Fully integrated into ShipConstructor’s
database, HVAC’s reports offer a wealth of valuable
information for Planning, Purchasing and Production departments.
Furthermore, logically connected HVAC items allow stretching
and moving while maintaining their connections. HVAC items
can be created “on-the-fly” or be selected from
a “spec-driven” catalog. Integrated with ShipConstructor’s
Interference Checking System, HVAC prevents costly mistakes
and rework. The module will be fully integrated with the established
Structure, Pipe and Outfit
modules, providing a smoothly running 3D product modelling
package. Hence, drafting errors and time-to-production is
expected to be reduced drastically.
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In
addition to the two new modules Penetrations and HVAC, ShipConstructor2004
comes with numerous enhancements to existing modules. To name
a few:
ShipConstructor’s Navigator
has been substantially redesigned, providing increased ease-of-use,
more customization abilities and an improved registration
procedure.
Figure
2: ShipConstructor's new Navigator
The ShipConstructor administration
application now provides improved security, allowing support
for named instances of SQL server and non-blank SQL System
Administrator passwords during install. It uses built-in SQL
server security features for enterprise level security. In
addition, multiple databases can now be updated at the same
time and an enhanced user flexibility ensures the removal
from users from a project and the transfer of their revision
history to a different user.
ShipConstructor’s proven Pipe
module now comes with an improved modeling tool for bent pipes,
thus accommodating various pipe benders and clamp lengths.
Bent pipes can now easily output data to a variety of pipe
bending machines. Pipe’s accessory packages are now
Spec driven and the Pipe Catalog has been extended with three
way valves. New permissions allow users to view and/or check
the Pipe Catalog. The new spool manager now helps to track
modeling changes. The new spool drawings locate dimensions
and orthographic symbols and make it easy to create orthographic
spools. The handling of slope pipes has also been considerably
improved.
The advanced Outfit module now comes with
Spec driven pipe connections, reducing errors by adding Spec
driven pipe connections to Outfit items. The improved collaboration
between the two modules Pipe and Outfit allows users to create
complete general arrangements while still allowing the use
of outfit items for detailed pipe system models.
For a detailed Feature List, please contact Albacore Research
Ltd., Info@ShipConstructor.com.
Europe, Middle East, Russia: For more information on ShipConstructor,
please contact Nick Danese at Design Systems &
Technologies, France, on +33-4-9291 1324,
ds-t@ds-t.com,
www.ds-t.com.
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