Increasing Automation in the Shipbuilding Production Process

As stated in this SBIR solicitation, “The Navy's Program Executive Office for Ships is leveraging the National Research Program (NSRP) to effect change across… surface shipbuilding…to adapt and implement "World Class" commercial best manufacturing practices.” Shipyard Process technology is identified as an area of high relative benefit within the NSRP Strategic Investment Plan. The overall objective of this proposal is to develop an automated shipbuilding structure manufacturing process. The NSRP SIP identifies structure as a high importance area within shipyard process technologies. Benefits will be realized in the application of multi-technology lean manufacturing cells, which will reduce the work done in situ in the main shipbuilding bay and in single process work centers. These cells will contain general purpose robots as well as other CNC machines. They will use such technologies as tool changing to minimize handling of the large assemblies typical of ship structure. The process will be designed to reduce distortion, eliminate fitting, and achieve high process capability. Typical technologies within the cell would include cutting, welding, assembly, coating, and measurement. This project will address specific NSRP objectives, namely to increase work accomplished by robotics and to improve fabrication of internal decks, longitudinal bulkheads, and stiffeners.