Benchmarking Dutch and U.S. Naval Shipbuilding: Reducing U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Costs Using Collaborative PLM and 3D Imaging

Abstract

U. S. Navy shipbuilding contractors need to find a way to reduce costs while not sacrificing current reliability and quality requirements. 3D Laser Scanning Technology (3D LST) and Collaborative Product Lifecycle Management (CPLM) are two technologies that are currently being leveraged by international ship construction organizations to achieve significant cost savings. 3D LST dramatically reduces the time required to scan ship surfaces as opposed to the traditional photogrammetry techniques currently used, but accuracy is not up to the Navy's standards. Once the technology progresses to a level of accuracy deemed acceptable by the U.S. Navy, dramatic cost savings can be gained by implementing it. CPLM technologies, on the other hand, improve the engineering and design process to the point that they may reduce detailed engineering times by up to 22%. In order to achieve the cost-saving benefits of these new technologies, U.S. Navy shipbuilding contractors must restructure their organizations to achieve the most productive manufacturing capabilities possible. This report details the answers to a series of research questions that result in a framework for these companies to use to improve manufacturing capabilities from a structural, human resource, and technical perspective. U.S. Navy shipbuilding contractors can use this framework to determine how to best implement these new manufacturing technologies.