Production automation system for three-dimensional template pieces used to evaluate shell plate completeness

In the shipbuilding industry, three-dimensional (3D) templates play a key role in the completeness evaluation of shell plates with a large curvature in the shell-plate fabrication process. Currently, the information of 3D templates from a ship computer-aided design system is limited; thus, manufacturers depend on their experience to produce the templates manually. This results in the inaccuracy of templates in addition to increased production time. Therefore, if the pieces of the 3D templates can be produced automatically with accurate information, the lead time of the fabrication process can be reduced. In this study, we define a new type of template piece and develop methods for extending a boundary template and converting manufacturing information into numerical control machine input. In addition, based on the results of the study, we propose a production automation system for 3D template pieces. This system is expected to reduce the lead time of the fabrication process. (C) 2019 Society of Naval Architects of Korea. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.