Digitalization: From Stem to Stern, Ship Design in 3D Digital

Last year ABS, Robert Allan, Signet and USCG collaborated on a project that would be the first commercial vessel in U.S. history to be produced using only 3D models in design and construction for all structures. While the process used to deliver this RAL-designed Advanced Rotortug (ART) is historic, it is just the start as Ryan contends that a purely 3D process reduces costs and time investment, while streamlining interaction between all stakeholders throughout the design, verification and construction phases, without compromising safety.

“ABS started focusing on this (pure digital process) in 2018 with a series of joint development R&D projects,” both publicly promoted as well as ones that have been kept private, said Ryan.
These early development projects were effectively building blocks in the digitalization production process, the ART tug representing the completed structure, “purely and completely, stem-to-stern, all drawings replaced with 3D CAD from a plan review standpoint.”