CADMATIC Hull Modules
The CADMATIC Hull system utilizes many different modules and offers many add-ons for various operations, these are:
The 2D eXchanger module is used to import and export 2D data from, and into, other drafting systems using the DXF and DWG format. This module is included in both the hull structure basic and detailed design seats.
Included in both the hull structure basic and detailed design seats, this module is used to export 3D hull geometry to other 3D systems in the following formats: AutoCAD® DXF and DWG, IGES, SAT and Rhinoceros. For users who need to translate the 3D hull model into native AutoCAD® format, the Hull ARX plug in module for AutoCAD® is available. This module converts the 3D hull model into the AutoCAD® 3D workspace for further processing. Download the Hull ARX plug in from the CADMATIC Website.
Hull 2D Library offers a specific and dedicated 2D drafting functionality to create and maintain general drawings and plans such as: general arrangement, main section, construction plan, safety plan, manholes and doors plan as well as 2D accommodation drawings. With Hull 2D Library, the user has access to a full library driven interface for adding user-defined symbols to the drawing and automatically generating piece part lists on the drawing. It offers a complete user definable 2D library structure to create, store and retrieve 2D symbols. The library can be created according to the end user's definition of categories and subcategories. Hull 2D Library offers an automated List Generator, a smart feature that enables the engineer to generate an inventory list of the applied Hull 2D Library symbols on the drawing automatically. Hull 2D Library is an ideal feature for generating output such as multilingual safety plans and deck layout drawings.
Hull 2D Library is included in both the hull structure basic and detailed design seats.
With the Hull Drafting module, a wide range of structural drawings can be produced. These vary from classification drawings, construction plans, section drawings up to workshop drawings. This module is included in both the hull structure basic and detailed design seats.
The drawings are linked to the 3D model and update automatically according to any changes. This system offers the highest level of consistency. The module offers flexible tools such as Snap, Insert, Select, Trim, Extend, Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, Redo, Properties and manipulate functions such as: shift, rotate, resize, mirror, duplicate and move. This enables full control over the drafting entities: Line, Arc, Ellipse, Rectangle, Spline, Hatch, Dash, Symbols, Fonts, Dimension and Annotations. The drafting method is modern and familiar, like AutoCAD®, and uses Dynamic Input, popup menus, keyboard shortcuts, function keys, function dependent options and recently used functions.
This section discusses several interfaces for different software packages which are available for CADMATIC Hull users:
Excel Report Generator
The CADMATIC Excel Report Generator Hull is an additional tool to generate reports directly in Microsoft Excel format. Templates and reports, such as: part lists, weight and centre of gravity lists and assembly lists, are defined with a user friendly interface and a wide variety of settings which are stored for each report type.
Fairway Interface
This interface offers a client connection with SARC’s hull server application. Using this interface, a Fairway hull shape model can be accessed directly from CADMATIC software with no data conversion necessary. The presence of a Fairway hull shape model is recognised automatically by CADMATIC. Please note that this interface requires a Fairway Server Key which can be obtained from SARC B.V. or the supplier of the Fairway hull shape model. Please contact your Fairway supplier for more information about the Fairway Server Key.
NAPA Steel Interface
The NAPA Steel Interface makes it possible to transfer a complete NAPA Steel model to the CADMATIC 3D hull database. The existing topology in the NAPA Steel model is fully preserved and adopted by the CADMATIC database. Once the model is transferred, it can be used for further detailed engineering as if it was created with CADMATIC Hull. The module offers tools and functionality to tune structural model details between both model types such as brackets, profiles, cut outs, holes and face plates.
The Hull Structure module distinguishes itself from other CAD / CAE / CAM systems because it is extremely fast and easy to use. The intuitive user interface guides the hull designer while creating structural components such as decks, bulkheads, stiffeners, shell frames, girders, flanges and brackets.
Hull structures are stored topologically so that relations between structural components with each other or with the hull shape can be modified quickly and easily. The effects of modifications on a topological structure are automatically carried through to the related structural components allowing fast and easy re-use of information without doing rework.
Rule-based engineering is another strong feature that assists the engineer, for example, in picking the correct bracket size automatically according to specific Class Rules.
The module also supports a hull library mechanism to retrieve and store any kind of structure, including its topological properties. Piping and outfitting components can be made visible during the 3D modelling of the hull structure.
The Hull Structure module includes powerful copy functions, parametric definition of yard standards and many automatic mechanisms such as part and panel numbering, marking lines, standard bracket selection and part coding, taking away many of the hull designer's daily worries and routine tasks.
The project library used by the Hull Structure module consists of a collection of all the necessary yard standards for cut outs, profile end shapes, stiffener types, brackets, holes and other structural entities. In addition to the yard related standards, software settings and project specific parameters are also stored and maintained in the project library.
Besides 3D modelling, the Hull Structure module contains full 2D drafting functionality to complete the views of the 3D model, create details and perform any kind of sheet drawing.
The Hull Work Preparation Manager (WPM) streamlines the information flow between engineering, planning, work preparation and the workshop. WPM speeds up the process of work preparation significantly and shortens the time of several of the ship's assembly stages.
WPM provides a set of unique tools for automatically detecting and assigning numbers to assemblies, sub assemblies, panels and parts. Parts, such as: profiles, brackets and collar plates, are automatically assigned to the correct panel. With this functionality, the complete work breakdown structure of a hull block can be determined automatically by the software. The depth of the work breakdown structure can be freely defined up to sixteen levels.
Each part can automatically receive a workshop process code and job number, based on the part's properties and work processes, such as: flanging, cutting, bending or bevelling. All of these features give the shipyard excellent flexibility for generating the desired work breakdown structure automatically.
With WPM, the user is able to control the complete work breakdown structure of a hull block quickly and easily. The use of WPM is very simple and straightforward. Once the work breakdown structure has been generated by the software, the user can easily manipulate its structure by dragging and dropping items, assemblies, panels and parts or create new ones. WPM is operated similarly to Windows Explorer and offers 3D assembly animation features.
WPM is available as an integrated part of the Hull Structure module and as a stand-alone module, called Hull Viewer Work Preparation Manager. The manipulation of the work breakdown structure with the integrated Hull Viewer is directly processed by the 3D Hull database. The stand-alone version of the Hull WPM has the advantage that it does not require a full CADMATIC Hull license. It is intended to be used between project partners, such as engineering offices and shipyards, or between the engineering and work preparation departments at the shipyard.
A practical example of using the WPM is where the work preparation department determines the actual work breakdown structure based on the 3D Hull model. The modified logistic information in the 3D model is returned to the engineering office and merged into the Hull database, after which the engineering office delivers the production information in the desired format to the shipyard's production group. This module is only included as part of the hull structure detailed design seat.
With the Hullshape Import Manager, included as part of both the hull structure basic and detailed design seats, it is possible to import surface based hull shape models directly into CADMATIC Hull using different independent file formats. Existing features, such as instant access to a NAPA shape database or importing wire frame data, are also available. The module supports the import of the following file formats: IGES (.igs, .iges), Rhino 3DM (.3dm), NAPA (.db), ACIS (.sat) and AutoCAD® (polygons only) (.dxf). The imported surfaces and curves are divided into hull groups or layers, they have a one-to-one relationship. Depending on the imported file format, the layer assignment is either semi or fully automatic. After the surfaces and curves are assigned to the proper hull groups, the user defines the frame coordinate list.
The hull shape is stored in the default CADMATIC Hull DataBase format which has the .hdb extension. Other supported formats to store the shape data are: IGES (.igs, .iges), ACIS (.sat), 3D Dump (.3dd), eBrowser Model (.ebm) and Hull Viewer Model (.hvm).
The hull database is related to the inner construction via topology. When a revision of the hull shape database is loaded and activated, the modelled construction is recalculated according to the new hull shape. Merging additional surfaces and curves, in an existing hull database, is possible from different file formats. This allows the shape of the hull and superstructure to be modelled with different software.
Included with both the hull structure basic and detailed design seats, the Integration module loads the CADMATIC 3D hull structure into the Plant Modeller and uses the original hull components inside the Plant Modeller module. Modifications made by the piping designer in the Plant Modeller module, such as holes for penetrations, are updated automatically in real time for the CADMATIC hull designer’s acceptance. The holes will be marked and not cut until acceptance from the hull designer.
The Hull user is also able to see inside the hull structure with the 3D model created with Plant Modeller. They can also access the piping and outfitting component library to position 3D models inside the hull structure.
CADMATIC Plate Nesting can be used in an interactive mode, in basic automatic nesting mode or in a combination of both. The basic automatic nesting mode nests the parts fully automatically for one plate according to user defined settings. The nesting module processes the CADMATIC Hull part geometries directly but also accepts part geometries from other systems in standard DXF file format. The Plate Nesting module offers functionality for creating / modifying part geometries, remnant handling, automatic cutting path creation and generating the NC code for cutting machines.
Features such as bridges, lead-in and lead-out, start holes, marking, text, contour optimization, net weights, cutting length, rapid movement and time estimates are all included. The module outputs nesting sketches and nesting reports for the workshop.
The Plate Nesting module supports flame, plasma and laser cutting machines and is delivered with two standard post processors for right angle cutting and line marking.
The basic plate nesting module's functionality can be enhanced with add-ons:
Advanced Autonesting
In addition to the basic Plate Nesting module, an enhanced automatic nesting feature, Advanced Autonesting, which includes buffer nesting, is available as an add-on module.
This advanced feature can be used for fully automatic plate nesting or with the interactive nesting options. Buffer nesting is a batch oriented tool which allows the user to maximize the automation of nesting by defining a set of available plates and a set of piece parts that have to be nested, while also reducing wasted stock material. This tool also automatically generates the NC cutting files to speed up production. This feature is especially beneficial for shipyards which are processing large amounts of parts.
Bevel and Text Marking
In addition to the standard cutting options, the Plate Nesting module can be delivered with extra functionality to support specific cutting machine devices for bevel cutting and text marking units. The Bevel-1 option supports single torch plasma heads and the Bevel-3 option supports bevel cutting with a 3- torch flame cutting head . The Text Marking option supports marking units with inkjet and similar devices. These additional features usually require a customized post processor depending on the type and manufacturer.
Post-processor (Category 1, 2 & 3)
Post-processor category 1 includes straight cutting, line marking and manual multi-burner positioning functions. Category 2 includes category 1, text marking and programmable multi-burner positioning functions. Category 3 includes category 2, bevel cutting, drilling and other special functions.
For production engineering, a fully equipped set of work preparation tools is embedded in the Hull Structure Detailed Design seat. This ensures that production receives all the required information such as welding details, part lists, weight and CoG, profile lists, profile nesting, profile sketches, shell frame bending information, part geometry for nesting and more. The information is directly derived from the 3D model with the built in Report Generator. The user is able to define their own report layout and to perform "Action on Reports" to extract various production and logistical data from the 3D model.
When used together with the Hull Work Preparation Manager, 3D work breakdown sketches and 2D+3D combination sketches can be generated automatically for use at the workshop floor.
This module handles the development of the shell plates and allows the use of the production tools in the Shell application, such as the Create Production Information and Code One Part functions. This module is suitable for both cold forming and line heating processes. The module mathematically calculates double curved plates into a flat pattern, while considering the elongation / shrink caused by the double curvature. Due to the accurate measurement computations, shell plates can be developed without green / extra length. Marking lines, of inner structures including position numbers, and hull lines, such as frames and stringers, are projected on the plate.
The longitudinal templates for bending are automatically generated by the system during the plate development process. The bending information for each plate is also available in tabular form for use in the workshop. The elongation list, template coordinate list, 2D sketches of shell plate and templates are examples of possible output formats for the bending information.
All logistical shell plate data is stored in the same 3D hull model as the inner hull structure and can be obtained in lists in the same manner as the inner structure.
Shell plate geometry and bending template geometry are generated in the same format as other hull parts and can be processed in the same way for nesting as inner structure parts.
The module includes a 3D shell plate viewer to visualize the curvature and position of the bending templates. The Shell Plate Development module is an add-on to Hull Structure and requires the Shell module, which is included in both of the Hull Structure design seats. The Pin-Jigs module is available as an add-on to increase the functionality of the Shell Plate Development module:
Pin-Jigs
The Pin-Jigs module is an add-on to the Shell Plate Development module. Pin-Jigs creates the pin-jig information automatically from the 3D model for the larger shell plate panels and calculates the optimal position of the pin-jig.
The module generates a pin-jig drawing with the calculated height of the pins, marking lines and the shell plate part numbers. Besides the pin-jig drawing, the module also produces a pin-jig listing as a table. Another useful feature is the ability to measure the real frame length from marking line to marking line along the hull. The user is able to configure parameters, such as the distance between the pins, and move and rotate the plane of the pin-jig for minor adjustments. The Pin-Jigs module is an add-on to Hull Structure and requires the Shell View module.
With the Shell module, you can produce shell expansion drawings in four different views. The module draws the view according to the area of the part of the ship that you want to see. It includes all of the seams and butts together, as well as, the existing inner construction of the hull which is connected with the ship's hull shape. The ship's hull shape includes details such as decks, girders and frames. The views that can be made are aft, side, top and special views.
After the view is generated from the 3D Product Model and presented on the screen, you can determine various kinds of information and add this information as attributes to the view. The module also offers several functions for dimensioning, positioning stiffener information and adding 2D construction lines, in case not all information is available yet. The shell expansion view is stored and treated in the same flexible way as when inserting views in a drawing by the other CADMATIC Hull modules. This module is included as part of both the hull structure basic and detailed design seats.