Automated Ship Assembly Lifting and Handling Calculations for Distortion Control (ShipLift)

Noran-Land Engineering Corp. was awarded a NAVSEA SBIR Phase I project under Topic N05.3-154 “ShipLift” on February 9, 2006 with a project duration through August 7, 2006. The objective of this project is to develop an analysis, design and simulation tool that will allow shipbuilders to mitigate distortion of components and assemblies that is caused during lifting, handling and interim storage evolutions. In addition, the tool will decrease cycle time and manhours associated with lifting and handling calculations. The tool will interface directly with ship design software, run using automated finite element and other calculation methods, and provide shipbuilders with calculated lift points, recommended rigging procedures, and analysis of the effects of various storage and transportation methods. The Phase I research demonstrated the feasibility of merging ShipConstructor product modeling technology with NEi NASTRAN finite element analysis capability. A prototype project was run through the complete lifting scenario and the problems and potential solutions for full development of the ShipLift application were identified.