CADMATIC  

Groningen, 
Netherlands
http://www.cadmatic.com

• Booth: 3543

Nupas-Cadmatic software is a CAD/CAM engineering software system for the marine and offshore industry.

CADMATIC Marine is a complete solution for shipyards, design and engineering offices and subcontractors. CADMATIC is the most user-friendly, easy-to-learn, efficient and open software package on the market. Our digital and intelligent 3D-based design, engineering and information management software solutions are suitable for all kinds of ships and offshore structures.

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• Data-driven shipbuilding (Sep 28, 2021)

  At CADMATIC, we are leading the charge to assist our customers to optimize the way ship design and shipbuilding is conducted. These efforts are guided by our vision of a transformed shipbuilding industry, one that is driven by data.

  What is data-driven shipbuilding?

  Data quality, consistency, and interconnectivity, as well as the maximized automation of data handling throughout the entire ship design and shipbuilding process are key factors in unlocking greater efficiency, increasing productivity and boosting profitability.

  In data-driven shipbuilding, digital data streams are consistent, reliable, and reusable across disciplines, project phases and ship series. Data drives and connects the entire shipbuilding process while manual data handling is minimized or eliminated to safeguard data integrity and optimize the shipbuilding process.

  The quest is not only to optimize operations, reduce errors dramatically, and to get it right the first time, but to enable shipbuilders to manage changes more efficiently when errors or other factors necessitate changes. If changes are required at any stage of the shipbuilding process, the advanced digitalization and interconnectivity of data means that upstream and downstream changes can be efficiently implemented while the consistency of data is retained.

  

  3D CAD model at the core of data-driven shipbuilding

  The core of all a ship’s data is created in and resides in the CAD 3D model. A myriad of calculation and analyses programs and other systems can run on top of the CAD core, incrementally adding to and creating the digital model of the vessel.

  Data integrity ensures that the ship 3D model can be used to support and drive scheduling, planning, production, prefabrication, and building for optimal results.

  Embedded knowledge in 3D CAD tools

  In addition to tools for 3D modeling and design, design applications have a significant amount of embedded engineering practices and standards. Harnessing the knowledge of specialists in each discipline, CAD serves as a universal knowledge hub, applying the best solutions for each part of the model and ensuring consistency of design and compliance with regulations.

  Designers can benefit from customized settings, specifications, predefined modules and previously created modules and sister ship projects. The personal experience of designers is less critical in such cases and can be supported by the software.

  Decades of experience and highly specialized training is no longer required to produce accurate construction information. This allows engineers and designers to focus on creating new projects and sustainable designs, while the software takes care of calculations and the accuracy of data.

  Read a case study about shell plate development in CADMATIC, the most demanding area of 3D hull design

  

  Digital model and digital twin

  Traditionally, CAD revolves around first modelling a vessel in a digital environment, and then building accordingly. It is a way of evaluating design options and considering different possibilities without having to do it with physical objects.

  Processes and systems can be modeled, 3D layouts checked for assembly and building stages and costs evaluated before the work at the construction site begins. In this process, information flows from the digital model to the physical object in one direction.

  A digital twin emphasizes a bi-directional approach. The information flows not only from the digital asset to the physical world, but also loops back, where information from the yard and production merges with the digital model. This approach resulted in information management applications inside or around CAD tools, such as CADMATIC eShare.  

  A digital twin does not exist in isolation. It requires a software platform in addition to hardware storage facilities. The eShare platform allows digital twins to be created incrementally. It can store and merge 3D models in various CAD formats and effectively integrate data from other systems, such as PDM/PLM/ERP/MES and more. It provides users access to all this data using the latest advanced visualization technology and by extracting the required data on demand.

  Online webinar: How eShare supports data-driven shipbuilding and drive digital transformation.

  WATCH WEBINAR

  Integrating systems throughout shipbuilding life cycle

  A key part of data-driven shipbuilding is the integration of systems used during the shipbuilding life cycle. Traditionally, much of the data produced in ship design and shipbuilding is siloed, which has inherent inefficiencies.

  The integration of CAD, CAM, ERP, MES, PDM, and PLM can deliver digital twins that have true value. This is particularly so for consolidated shipbuilding groups that have vertically integrated operations from design and prefabrication to production.

  Integration can be achieved in different ways. At CADMATIC, we believe in a flexible approach. We have a web API for traditional fixed integrations, but also connect and access data of different systems via the eShare platform. 

  Drawingless production

  In our data-driven shipbuilding vision, consistent data streams lead to drawingless production and paperless operations.

  The intelligence of IT allows the provision of data in digital format that is suitable for production. For example, based on the data col­lected by CADMATIC, when the first 3D viewer, eBrowser, was intro­duced on the market in 2000, the direct estimation from shipyards was that they were able to reduce the number of drawings needed for production by 30%.

  Following this development, after introducing CADMATIC’s eShare as a central portal for all interlinked project information, a further re­duction of 70% in the number of drawings was achieved. This is an example of how increased intelligence in IT technology has significantly affected the number and types of drawings involved in production but was capped by societal readiness to change the existing regime. Pio­neering yards focused on innova­tion and effectiveness, were more ready to make the change than yards where tradition and main­taining the status quo were stron­ger driving forces. Human and societal factors often conflict with tech­nological possibilities.

  Data-driven shipbuilding unlocks next-level efficiency

  Data-driven shipbuilding enables close collaboration between all disciplines, integrates processes and assures end-to-end continuity by sharing the same source of real-time information.

  This single source of truth assists shipyards to accelerate the time-to-market, drive down costs, shorten lead-times, and reduce quality issues in design, manufacturing and supply chains. It unlocks next-level efficiencies, increases productivity and secures profitability via data-driven processes and decision-making.

• Link 3D data and integrated planning – Reduce shipyard workshop hours by at least 15% (Sep 28, 2021)

  Data-driven shipbuilding and the digital transformation of operations present shipyards with the opportunity to achieve vast efficiency gains. For shipyard 4.0, research has shown that one source of operational inefficiency lies in the information flow gap that exists between engineering and design, planning, and production execution.

  This information flow gap can be bridged by linking 3D data with an integrated planning approach. Bridging the gap promotes an optimized building strategy that is founded on up-to-date, integrated, and correct data across engineering, the supply chain and production, where it can reduce workshop hours by at least 15%.

  The information flow gap – project perception versus workshop floor reality

  Organizations are often plagued by information flow gaps between different organizational levels, from top to middle management and down to the shop floor. The overall efficiency of an organization is highly dependent on how well it manages information flows and how well it can eliminate any gaps. As the old cliché goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

  The most successful organizations are characterized by sound situational awareness across all organizational levels that is based upon up-to-date and accurate information flows, as well as a common understanding of the status of projects down to the finest details.

  In this respect, shipyards are no different. It is noticeable that in many shipyards there is a mismatch between how higher management level executives evaluate project progress, and what is actually happening on the workshop floor level. Higher management levels are mainly concerned with the scope, schedule, and budget for the project and keeping them in line with higher-level goals. They focus on assigning responsibilities and ensuring the functionality of lower-level departments to execute projects. On the workshop floor, on the other hand, the focus is on day-to-day tasks: the what, the who, the when, and in what order.

  On the workshop floor, insights are required, among others, about concurrent processes, relevant material delivery statuses, instant issue or change management recognition, and impact assessment for pending items as well as possible risks for operational performance. This information should provide guidance as to which activities need to be undertaken, when and in what sequence, and what resource should be used.

  It is crucial to address these information needs in order to enhance the ship production planning and control processes. A key success factor in this regard is the level of detail that the information contains. If the information can delve down into the job/person/day level, it greatly increases the accuracy of progress monitoring, dependability, timeliness and predictability.

  Shipyard systems usually only partly address these informational needs, rendering a gap between the insights required and those that are provided. This gap negatively impacts overall shipyard production and efficiency. The solution lies in implementing an integrated and automated planning & control approach that leverages the full power of digitalisation and data-driven shipbuilding solutions.

  

  
  CADMATIC Floorganise solution to bridge the information flow gap between insights required and those provided

  The CADMATIC Floorganise MES was designed to bridge the information flow gap described above. It combines all benefits from the eShare platform for digital twins for the complete product life cycle and Floorganise planning and production control. It enhances shipbuilding project planning and control processes through automation and integration of engineering data, the 3D model and available IT systems (e.g. ERP, time & attendance, project planning software).

  CADMATIC Floorganise ensures that work preparators can retrieve the latest insights and statuses of all crucial elements, thereby executing activities efficiently and without issues, delays or failure costs.

  Planning, production and engineering departments and even the supply chain can use the same 3D model in CADMATIC eShare platform and planning and production control data. This allows them to create deeper more predictable and detailed plans on the actual 3D model in parallel, resulting in a process that follows the optimized building strategy based on the particulars of both the project as well as the yard.

  WATCH CADMATIC FLOORGANISE WEBINAR

  CADMATIC solutions can reduce production workshop hours by more than 15% by:

  • Executing an optimized building strategy
  • Increasing predictability of task progress and completion
  • Integrating planning: planning from project to production and from operation and control
  • Using a single platform for operational control, providing all insights, priorities, performance tracking and tasks readiness

• Implementation of a new ship design solution – will it improve efficiency or jeopardize ongoing projects and work processes? (Sep 28, 2021)

  It is not news to shipbuilders that there are benefits to be gained from modern design solutions and a data-driven approach to shipbuilding: accelerating the time to market, reducing costs, and shortening lead-times to name a few. What is holding shipyards and ship design offices back from implementing these clearly beneficial solutions?

  Risk or benefit? Design solution implementation has far-reaching implications

  There is no simple answer to this question. One area of concern is that a new design solution has very far-reaching impacts on all facets of the ship design and shipbuilding process as well as shipyard organization overall and that there is a significant risk of making things a lot worse before you make them better. 

  Depending on how long it takes before things become better, the financial and business risks are immense. Maintaining the status quo can in many cases be easier, especially if the shipyard is currently efficient and the orderbook is full. Why risk downtime or worse?

  To this, I would say that I see where the concerns come from but that the benefits to be gained simply far outweigh the risks, especially if you put proper and proven systems in place to mitigate the risks.

  One should also consider taking a longer-term perspective, you may be efficient now with current methods and tools, but how competitive will you be in 10- or 15-years’ time if you do not modernize now? Will the new generation of ship designers accept the use of outdated tools? Can experienced designers adopt new technologies and adapt to new tools? Can designers respond fast enough to the challenges posed by new regulations in shipbuilding and new industrial practices such as scrubbers, ballast water retrofits, LNG, LPD, or hydrogen challenges imposed by the modern society?

  Implementation without jeopardizing on-going projects and existing working processes

  At the end of the day, even when all fears related to a new ship design solution are alleviated, the sheer scale of the implementation project and general resistance to change is enough to cause hesitation for many. 

  There are, however, ways of getting teams up and running quickly so that benefits can be seen fast. It is a question of managing the risks and implementing new solutions in a meticulously planned, systematic, and shipyard-specific manner. Choosing an experienced partner that has been there and done that for organizations similar to yours also goes a long way to mitigating risks. Using a tried and tested approach to implementation is a solid foundation for success.

  Should you implement on your own, with support and guidance from the solution provider, or use consultants?

  Nowadays, ship design solution implementation projects are often outsourced to local representatives or even partner consultancy companies, who often have only limited knowledge about the application itself and only a consultative feedback loop to the developer of the solution. This way, solution providers tackle the lack of their own implementation resources and create distance between themselves and the end users. Having direct access to the solution provider enables fast feedback and provides users with the opportunity to tap into the provider’s in-depth functionality knowledge. It also allows users to learn from best practices of using a particular solution.

  We have collected all the best practices from our over 35 years of experience gained in discussions, feedback, and implementation projects at over 900 ship design companies and shipyards in one white paper.

  Learn the best practices of CAD solution implementation – Download white paper 

  Read more and download white paper about a systematic and proven method of implementing new design solutions at ship design companies and shipyards and managing related risks.

 Press Releases

• CADMATIC and NAPA join forces to provide integrated, intelligent ship design solution encompassing the entire project life cycle (Sep 28, 2021)

  CADMATIC and NAPA, have announced a new integrated, intelligent ship design software solution to enhance the design process for shipyards and ship design companies. The solution combines proven, world-class design tools to fulfill users’ requirements for comprehensive software covering the entire ship lifecycle from newbuilding projects to retrofits and conversions. The integrated solution offers a leading solution for naval architecture, basic and detail design, through to ship production and delivery. The integrated offering combines the most effective solutions for each discipline within the design process.

  The joint offering optimizes ship design, engineering and production processes and leverages the power of digital transformation to streamline the design process; effectively consolidating data and creating a greater platform for collaboration and enabling the use of digital twins from the beginning of a project.

  

  The Intelligent Ship Design solution enables successful execution of complex design challenges, like 3D model-based class approval, and collaboration across large multi-site projects while saving time and costs by avoiding the duplication of information across different systems. The solution will subsequently enable customers to win more contracts and fully realize the commercial success of these projects.

  CADMATIC and NAPA have worked in partnership for many years and have a long history of delivering high-level integration within their software products and cooperation in selected commercial ventures. The solutions provided by CADMATIC and NAPA are trusted by the leading shipyards and design companies around the world and provide proven value to the global shipbuilding industry.

  “Together with NAPA, we have the most extensive experience within the market to improve the efficiency and profitability of the shipbuilding industry. We have a long history in shipbuilding and most shipyards and ship design companies in the world trust our advanced solutions and deep knowhow. I’m very excited about this opportunity to combine the forces of the two most advanced software solutions for the benefit of our existing and new clients,” said Jukka Rantala, CEO at CADMATIC.

  Mikko Kuosa, CEO at NAPA, added: ”We strongly believe that by combining the best elements of both NAPA and CADMATIC, we are creating a superior solution that encompasses all the key aspects of ship design and delivers the benefits of a fully 3D based design approach from the early stages all the way to production.”

• CADMATIC expands presence in CANADA (Sep 28, 2021)

  CADMATIC is expanding its presence in CANADA to support Seaspan Shipyards and to drive business development in the North American region. A local Canadian business entity, CADMATIC INC. has been set up in Vancouver and the recruitment of employees has started.

  The first employee for local customer services has already been hired. For the immediate future, CADMATIC plans to recruit more hull and outfitting application specialists, with other recruitments to support business development to follow.

  Local presence to support Seaspan Shipyards

  CADMATIC’s key customer in the region, Seaspan Shipyards, specializes in new construction of and repair work on ferries, Coast Guard vessels, naval ships, barges, tugs, yachts, fishing vessels, Arctic Class and research vessels of all types and sizes.

  According to Geert Tepper, CADMATIC Vice President, Marine, CADMATIC is committed to providing the best local support for Seaspan in the region.

  “Initially, our primary focus is on ensuring that Seaspan gets the best possible support, both locally in Canada and from our other customer support centres when necessary. We have other customers in North America that will also benefit from our increased local presence,” says Tepper.

  He adds that North America is a region that holds much business potential for CADMATIC.

  “There is a lot of commercial shipbuilding for local markets in North America and there is, for example, a lot of river barges, workboats and ferries being built in the region. The construction of coastguard and naval vessels and their support vessels is also a very big business. We can add value to all of these kinds of design and construction projects.”

• CADMATIC in top 7 R&D investors in Finland! (Sep 28, 2021)

  As a percentage of annual turnover, CADMATIC invests the 7th most in R&D out of the top 100 companies in Finland.

  Finnish technology and business magazine Tekniikka&Talous recently published its annual ranking of the biggest R&D investors in Finland. For the 2020 financial year, CADMATIC invested EUR 6,3 million in R&D, which represents 24,7% of turnover. This is an increase on the 21% of turnover invested in the 2019 financial year.

  CADMATIC CEO Jukka Rantala is proud of this achievement, especially in view of a worrying declining trend in R&D investments in Finland over recent years as reported by the Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle on 6 September 2021. It is feared that lower R&D investments will negatively impact the Finnish economy in years ahead.

  “Despite the Covid-19 related difficulties, we have invested strongly in R&D. We are increasing our investments to support our aggressive growth ambitions over the next 5 years. These R&D investments ensure that we keep developing products that empower our customers to push their quality and efficiency boundaries. I am, for example, very excited about the development work we are doing around Digital Twins, Virtual and Augmented Reality, and AI and their applications in industrial investment projects,” says Rantala.

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