Product category:
3D CAD software
News Release from: CoCreate Software | Subject: OneSpace Designer Modeling
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 01 July 2004
Modelling software helps preserve
American history
OneSpace Designer Modeling is contributing to the preservation of an American naval legend, the USS Constitution, thanks to the dedication of a long-time user.
OneSpace Designer Modeling is contributing to the preservation of an American naval legend, the USS Constitution, thanks to the dedication of a long-time user The Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world - nearly as old as the historic document for which President George Washington named her
She earned her nickname of "Old Ironsides" from a sailor who watched cannon shots bounce harmlessly off her hull during the War of 1812.
The history-rich Constitution was built in the 1790s and boasts copper fastenings provided by the famous Boston smith, Paul Revere.
The 44-gun-rated warship now serves as a naval museum in Boston.
Bill Clarke, a mechanical engineer and designer at a leading electronics manufacturing service (EMS) provider, uses CoCreate's Designer Modeling to design computers and workstations.
When his workday is done, he keeps Designer Modeling running and turns to his labour of love: keeping history afloat.
Since 1995, Clarke has served as a volunteer draftsman to recreate master drawings of the Constitution's design that have either been lost or need to be duplicated for historical record.
Each of his drawings takes hundreds of hours.
He has logged more than 3500h on these efforts, and his completed drawings go into national archives in Washington, DC as well as into naval periodicals.
He praised the freedom that history-free, or dynamic, modelling provides.
Unique among all other 3D CAD software products, Designer Modeling eliminates the need for the sequenced steps that constrain designs.
"This may sound funny when we're talking about reconstructing historical naval design, but the last thing I want to worry about is being limited by history-based modelling", said Clarke.
"Designer Modeling has enabled me to recreate a complex set of designs over the last eight years on a project where every detail is critical".
"Without the flexibility of dynamic modelling, I couldn't have accomplished what I have".
Creating the drawings for the Constitution requires working from her original plans, as well as taking her physical measurements.
Clarke uses Designer Modeling to create both 3D models and 2D plans of the ship.
For example, he physically measures the ship's knees (supporting braces used for strength when two parts are joined), then recreates them in 3D with the help of Designer Modeling.
He has also modelled the fighting top platforms at each mast where sharpshooters would fire at enemy vessels.
Such drawings are essential when a historical ship needs repair.
To illustrate the importance of accurate drawings, Clarke described a past problem.
"Over time, you'll see a ship's keel become 'hogged', where both its ends droop and pull up the centre".
"If you don't take action, the ship could eventually break in half", he said.
"Prior to the 1992-1996 dry dock refit, the Constitution's keel had hogged a good 14in, and drawings of her keel with support features were long lost".
"It was a set of drawings from an archivist for her sister ship, the USS President, that saved the day with plans for the diagonal riders that contain the keel".
He explained that the riders had been taken out during an early renovation of the Constitution, never replaced and totally forgotten.
Since adding the diagonal riders back into the ship her hogging has held fast at just over 3in.
"Bill Clarke's work is an admirable gift to generations to come".
"Our hats go off to him for his skill and dedication", said William M Gascoigne, CEO for CoCreate.
"CoCreate is honoured that through Bill's efforts, Designer Modeling plays a part in contributing to the national archives and preserving the living historical record of the Constitution".
Samples of the drawings can be seen on the CoCreate website.
• CoCreate Software: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
