Shell Development Computer Aided Lofting—Is There a Problem or Not?

Abstract

Some shipyards are not satisfied with the computer aided shell development systems that they use. This is because of fit-up problems and the need for excess material to allow corrections to be made at erection. Most shipbuilders desire a "cut to neat size" approach. Most computer aided lofting (CAL) developers recommend that excess material be used. They claim that this is to take care of limitations in the plater's skill and the forming machinery, not in the CAL system. The paper reports on a study that was undertaken to determine the correct perspective for the shell plate development problem, and if the shipbuilder's goal of cutting all shell plates neat is reasonable.