Reimagining Ship Construction through AI KBE Concept: Implementation of Template Oriented Modeling in Detail and Production Ship Design

Abstract

In shipbuilding, the design and construction processes often involve repetitive tasks and the need for consistent structural elements across various vessels. This research paper presents the implementation of Template Oriented Modeling (TOM), an in-house developed CAD feature that offers an innovative solution to address these challenges. TOM introduces automation and efficiency by streamlining the ship design and construction processes. By utilizing predefined templates and dynamic parameters, TOM significantly reduces the need for manual repetition, resulting in time savings and increased productivity. This paper focuses on the issue of repetitive manual work in shipbuilding and highlights TOM as a transformative approach to overcome this challenge. The motivations, benefits, and innovations associated with TOM are thoroughly examined, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize the shipbuilding industry. We presented a fully functional example demonstrating the effectiveness of TOM in achieving streamlined workflows and improved design consistency. The design process in shipbuilding is a complex endeavor involving integrating various disciplines and considerations to create a functional, safe, and efficient vessel (Shahzad et al. 2023b). The need to balance these factors while meeting regulatory standards poses a significant challenge to ship designers (Fig. 1). Traditional design methods, relying on manual drafting or basic computer-aided design (CAD) tools, often struggle to handle the complexity of ship design, leading to time-consuming iterations, errors, and inconsistencies. However, traditional design methods and tools often fail to address the inherent complexities and challenges of ship design, leading to significant design problems that can adversely affect the overall construction process.