Page 31: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2002)

changes to a single system, a major revision to the connection architecture is normally required.

Additionally, several manual steps might be nec- essary to perform the actual data transfer. These environments typically don't have support for data management, putting a heavy burden on the sys- tems user. This is especially true in the "one of a kind" production in shipbuilding, where the CAD to CAM data transfer happens often.

Research, Development, Sharing =

Better CAD Systems

As the implementation of 3-D product modeling becomes the norm in more shipyards, the need for a flexible CAD and CAM integration solution will increase. The need for flexibility is compounded by the worldwide consolidations taking place in the industry. Acquisitions and mergers have created families of companies working together in ways that would have seemed impossible just five years ago.

The current direction from the large product model vendors is to allow an open standard format as an optional output from their product model.

This is demonstrated by vendor involvement in pro- jects such as NSRP, ISE / ESTEP. Use of open standards would support a local integrated architec- ture and provide data access between systems used by sister shipyards or subcontractors.

Two open-standard formats; STEP and STEP-NC are destined to compete with proprietary solid- model formats. These important standards allow the sharing of model data between different sys- tems and will provide a better integration of CAD and CAM.

STEP or ISO 10303 (http://www.diffuse.Org/products.html#STEP) is a vendor neutral standard that describes how to rep- resent (and therefore exchange) digital product information. STEP-NC or ISO 14649 (www.step- nc.org) provides a neutral NC-programming inter- face to support information transfer between CAD and CAM and NC systems. Recent emphasis has been on milling operations; however further exploitation of this standard for other applications such as shipbuilding is currently underway.

There are several U.S.-based R&D projects cur- rently underway that are intended to better integrate

CAD, with the current and planned CAM systems.

The Integrated Steel Processing Environment (ISPE) is an NSRP-ASE funded research project.

Headed by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, the project goal is to create an interoperable solution that removes the dedicated link from one CAD sys- tem to one CAM system for the design and produc- tion of steel plate.

STEP Tools (Troy, NY) currently is working on an U.S. Navy, ONR funded research project to examine the technical merits of utilizing STEP-NC for manufacturing operations in the shipbuilding industry. STEP Tools will study applying STEP-

NC technology to control pipe bending and cutting at Electric Boat, Quonset Point, RI.

Atlantec Enterprise Solutions (Annapolis, MD)

TEMP-SET INSULATION COVERS

MANUFACTURING AND CONTRACTING

Removable Reusable Temp-Set Insulation Covers,

Manifolds, Turbos, Silencers, and complete Exhaust Systems.

ACOUSTICAL INSULATION

ASBESTOS ABATEMENT

TURN-KEY JOBS

SUPERIOR ENERGIES INC.

Reduce engine room temperature ISO 9001

Lower engine room noise

Easy to assemble

Coast Guard Compliant

Let us take care of all your insulation and abatement needs

We accept MasterCard, Visa and Amex

WANT SUPERIOR QUALITY

WANT SUPERIOR SERVICE

CALL SUPERIOR ENERGIES INC. 1-800-BUY-SEI-1

P.O. Drawer 386, Groves TX 77619

Telephone: (409) 962-8549 Fax: (409) 962-4027

Website: www.insulationsei.com

Circle 299 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com

Slade Fluid Sealing

No Flush - No Leak Service

Simply the best!!

UP TO 10 YRS SERVICE IN TAILSHAFTS

VIRTUALLY LEAK FREE

DRY BILGES MEAN FEWER HAZMAT or DISCHARGE WORRIES

NO WEAR ON SHAFTS OR SLEEVES - SEALS WORN EQUIPMENT

LIFETIME GUARANTEE IN VALVES

NUCLEAR SERVICE APPROVED - ABS Type Approval Pending

OUR GASKETS PERFORM ON STEAM CUTS & IRREGULAR FACES

Contact DELAMAR - EXCLUSIVE Distributor of Slade Products to the Marine Industry 434-983-6104 (Phone) www.delamar.net (Internet) [email protected] (E-mail)

BALLAST

Smart Strain Gauge

Level Sensor with

Generic 4-20mA Output

Use one sensor for all shipboard liquid levels

This technology has been designed specifically for surviving the rigors of ballast tank continuous monitoring. It weighs less than 2 oz. and is con- structed from 100% pure titanium. • It's the size of your thumb • Accuracy .25% of full scale • 100% Titanium • Weighs less than 2 oz. • ABS/USCG/Lloyds approved • FM Class 1, Div. 1 Intrinsically Safe • Removal without tank entry • No mercury or other contaminants • Interfaces to your existing monitoring system • One sensor for all shipboard liquids: fuel oil, lube oil, fresh water, black water, etc. • Generic 4-20 mA output • Used in 15,000 tanks worldwide

Many Options

L j ^-ir^idM

Circle 303 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com

September, 2002

ELECTRONIC MARINE

SYSTEMS. INC. 800 Ferndale Place

Rahway, NJ 07065

Call today for more infs\ f*wt ssifijrtrt f in Tormaii on i 732.382.4344 732.388.5111 fax [email protected] e-mail http://www.emsmarcon.com

Circle 225 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com 31