3D design and analysis tools are all at sea

SolidWorks and Cosmos software are becoming the 3D mechanical design and analysis tools of choice for some of the biggest names in the global boating industry.

SolidWorks and Cosmos software are becoming the 3D mechanical design and analysis tools of choice for some of the biggest names in the global boating industry.

Companies like Sea Ray, Tennessee Watercraft and Nautor Oy are among the hundreds of companies around the world using SolidWorks software to quickly design and outfit a wide range of watercraft from runabouts to racing yachts.

SolidWorks and Cosmos software help these companies overcome the tricky design challenges of complex surfacing, limited space, and comfort/performance tradeoffs.

For example, Nautor Oy, Finnish maker of world-renowned luxury sailing and racing vessels, is using SolidWorks software in all of its conceptual, detail, interior, system, and plumbing design work.

It has also enabled Nautor to perform computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining while fostering a generally improved understanding of complicated 3D surfaces and spaces.

"Moving to SolidWorks and 3D mechanical design is vital to our success", said Kari Haavisto, Manager, Design Group, Nautor Oy.

"SolidWorks software helps us quickly create better, more functional designs that are still pleasing to the eye".

"We can better optimise space within the hull and execute our design work more quickly and accurately to cut costs and eliminate production errors".

"We've also enhanced our ability to deploy multiple engineers working in parallel to increase our throughput rates".

"We chose SolidWorks software over other offerings because it has the best balance between functionality and ease of use, a long list of software partners, and the strongest support locally and globally".

In the future, Nautor Oy engineers hope to develop 3D models of every yacht for use in marketing, sales, and support as well as design and production.

Sea Ray of Vonore, Tennessee, the world's largest manufacturer of superior quality pleasure boats, is using SolidWorks software in its manufacturing technology centre to design tooling for closed-mould fabrication of Sea Ray's sport boats.

Engineers have used SolidWorks software to design robotics machinery for the company's advanced spray painting capsule and for RIMFIRE (robotic in-mould fibre reinforcement) - a mechanism that shoots fibreglass into moulds.

Sea Ray engineers use CosmosWorks design analysis software to analyse and optimise design decisions like the placing of bulkheads and stringers (ie ribs in the hull).

When engineers need to make a change to accommodate passengers, CosmosWorks also helps Sea Ray gauge the structural/cost/benefit ratios of those changes.

"We like SolidWorks and CosmosWorks software because they are so user-friendly and self-explanatory", said Lee H Becker Engineering/CAD/Lab Technician in the Manufacturing Technology Group.

"When you have a problem with a design, you don't fumble for a solution".

"SolidWorks tells you how to fix it and operates with CosmosWorks as a single integrated solution".

Tennessee Watercraft uses SolidWorks to design new runabout-style jet boats called Sport Boats, including their seating, consoles, instrument panels, hatches, upholstery, lights, cleats, and fuel systems.

"We chose SolidWorks over competitors because it offers powerful capabilities while being surprisingly easy to learn and use", said Jerry Denham, Design Engineer at Tennessee Watercraft.

"Designing a simple hatch lid, for instance, requires an engineer to create a slightly domed surface to ensure water runs off efficiently".

"It's a one-click command with SolidWorks software".

"It's a long, involved chore with other tools".

The company uses CosmosWorks software to check sturdiness of metal braces, mounts, shocks and other components.

It uses eDrawings e-mail enabled design communications tool to circulate drawings to colleagues and management for signoff, saving time and paper.

Other boating industry companies using SolidWorks and/or Cosmos software include General Dynamics, Glacier Bay Catamarans, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Naval Surface Warfare centre, Science Applications International Corp, Team New Zealand, Trimline, United States Marine and Zodiac International.

"Boating is an endeavor where creative and sound design make an enormous impact on performance and safety", said Bertrand Sicot, SolidWorks Corp's Vice President of North American Sales.

"That's why a growing number of designers and engineers are turning to SolidWorks and Cosmos software to more quickly turn out safer, higher-performing vessels".

"We take great pride in the growing likelihood that SolidWorks is an integral part of the boating experience you're enjoying".

These customers rely on SolidWorks authorised resellers ModernTech Mechanical of Knoxville, Tennessee, and CadON Oy of Finland for ongoing training, implementation and support.

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