Production-based Design Methodology for Shipboard Machinery Spaces

Abstract

U.S. shipyards are experiencing a lack of stock designs when compared with worldclass shipyards. Shipyards in this country usually develop "unique designs" from scratch. New designs are traditionally performed by design agents, who do not account sufficiently for production requirements and constraints. This process typically results in excessive production re-engineering and/or rework. This paper presents a production-based methodology that is being developed under the National Shipbuilding Research Program/American Shipbuilding Enterprise (NSRP/ASE) Project 21, Develop and Implement World-Class U.S. Material Standards and Parametric Design Rules to Support Commercial and Naval Auxiliary Ship Construction. This methodology utilizes a zonal design approach that leverages work previously accomplished under the Shipbuilding Technology contract between Designers & Planners, Inc., and the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Development Center in the 1994–1998 time frame. Under this contract, a collocated team with representatives of domestic and foreign shipbuilders, ship owners, vendors, and designers developed world-class engine rooms. Results of this previously conducted research were summarily reported in the Maritime Reporter. The advanced design methodology presented in this paper incorporates production requirements early in the design process that can result in significant savings in design cost and schedule, production costs, and construction cycle time. The methodology addresses how (1) machinery equipment should be grouped into functional volumes and blocks; (2) the interfaces between functional volumes and blocks and between zones should be considered; (3) producibility issues should be considered early in the design process; (4) the information should be collected and archived for use in future designs. An example is provided to show how this advanced methodology could be used to shorten design time and cost and enhance the producibility of future shipboard machinery spaces.