Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding implements FORAN

FORAN screenshot of pusher tug

JULY 14, 2016 — Madrid, Spain, headquartered SENER reports that its FORAN CAD/CAM system is now in use at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, WI.

SENER last year signed a contract licensing Fincantieri Marine Group to use FORAN that included installation, setup, training and support for the three main FORAN disciplines: Hull Structure, Machinery & Outfitting, and Electrical Design.

SENER says the training and support have enabled Fincantieri Marine Group FORAN users to cope with the new project designs on time and budget.

Bay Shipbuilding currently has three vessels under development using FORAN System: two pusher tugs and one 185,000 BBL barge, all from the same ATB (Articulated Tug Barge) concept. The work currently performed in FORAN covers basic design to production, through a very detailed 3D digital mockup, with everything integrated within a single database.

The ATB project is being carried out in a true collaborative environment (remote access), with all stakeholders accessing the same data in real time. The FORAN database with all the project information is located at the shipyard facilities, in Sturgeon Bay, while subcontractors are accessing the data remotely by using a Citrix access solution (Terminal server solution).With this approach, naval architect Guarino & Cox is developing the basic and detail design for hull, machinery and pipe from Covington, LA. The shipyard is developing the electrical design, foundations and it is exploiting the 3D model for production. HVAC and Joiner are being developed by subcontractors, using their own systems, and then imported to the FORAN model to allow checking of arrangements and development of effective routings.

During the design development, production personnel at the shipyard have direct access to the model and have been trained to add final production data directly. This includes plate strakes, bevel and gap data, pipe spool breaks etc.

Production engineering at the shipyard then extracts production documents directly from FORAN for steel fabrication, pipe spooling and installation, outfitting, foundations and electrical installation. This approach has led to a significant increase in collaboration between various departments within the shipyard as well as designers and subcontractors.

Development of the basic (class) design in FORAN in 3D, enables all the required class drawings to be automatically obtained. This differs from the traditional approach of using a set of 2D drawings, with a risk of drawings misalignment. At the same time it permits a seamless transition to the production mock-up.

“The implementation of the FORAN system at the shipyard represents a significant step in the evolution of ship design and construction in the U.S.,” says Bay Shipbuildin Engineering Manager, Brennan Smith. “For a couple of decades most U.S. shipyards have had functional designs developed in 2-D, often to a high level of detail, for a separate lofting operation to use in developing 3D models of hull structure and pipe with minimal outfitting. This resulted in two or more sets of design documentation that were then used to manually develop purchasing and planning documents. This was better than the old loft floor but like the loft floor this process is no longer the best available approach. FORAN allows most all of the design to be developed or added to the 3D model providing in single database of design and production information that is fully accessible by the shipyard. This shortens the time from contract to production and improves overall shipyard efficiencies”.