Birth of a boat

Betonov · 07-25-11, 07:05 AM

For your education, a short thread about the modeling phase of boat design and construction.

In 4 years being in the industry, I have never made one component of a finished product nor have I ever even tightened a screw in a finished boat. I am a modeler. I build models and molds, from which the final product is made. I am more in research and development than actual construction. I will tell the story of the boat as it comes from the computer to reality. The finnal assembly is boring, like telling how 20 kids puting together very expensive LEGO pieces.

FIRST it begins with sketches, computer tests, 3D models and finally into CAD/CAM programs. It's all computer and programming mumbo jumbo so don't ask me much about it.

SECOND A mock up model is built. The mock up is used to show any design weaknes's, like to narrow corridors, too steep stairs or even if the sundeck might be uncomfortable. It's also a showcase for investor to see a rough design of the product. When everything is OK the programers start programing the CAM/CADs.

THIRD the base. A base in a support for the modeling paste. We have an asortement of steel understructures prepared. On it we construct a wooden support and on that wooden support we glue the styrophoam or EPS, cut to shapes that will allow for easy milling. It's a messy operation.

(this was the model for the actual boat, used by the UK team in the 2008 olympics in Beijing, The white stuff is the EPS)

EPS block prepared to be cut. The lines are drawn via a printed plan we receive. Cutting is done by hand with a hot wire (sorry, no picture)

Here we see a model of a hull being built. Like building LEGO's

FOURTH the first milling. The rough model is then sent into the milling machine. A five axel CNC milling machine thats slowly mills away the EPS to the shape, the final product will have.

the prevous hull still being milled

to be continued...

07-25-11, 07:05 AM	#1
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Birth of a boat For your education, a short thread about the modeling phase of boat design and construction. In 4 years being in the industry, I have never made one component of a finished product nor have I ever even tightened a screw in a finished boat. I am a modeler. I build models and molds, from which the final product is made. I am more in research and development than actual construction. I will tell the story of the boat as it comes from the computer to reality. The finnal assembly is boring, like telling how 20 kids puting together very expensive LEGO pieces. FIRST it begins with sketches, computer tests, 3D models and finally into CAD/CAM programs. It's all computer and programming mumbo jumbo so don't ask me much about it. SECOND A mock up model is built. The mock up is used to show any design weaknes's, like to narrow corridors, too steep stairs or even if the sundeck might be uncomfortable. It's also a showcase for investor to see a rough design of the product. When everything is OK the programers start programing the CAM/CADs. THIRD the base. A base in a support for the modeling paste. We have an asortement of steel understructures prepared. On it we construct a wooden support and on that wooden support we glue the styrophoam or EPS, cut to shapes that will allow for easy milling. It's a messy operation. (this was the model for the actual boat, used by the UK team in the 2008 olympics in Beijing, The white stuff is the EPS) EPS block prepared to be cut. The lines are drawn via a printed plan we receive. Cutting is done by hand with a hot wire (sorry, no picture) Here we see a model of a hull being built. Like building LEGO's FOURTH the first milling. The rough model is then sent into the milling machine. A five axel CNC milling machine thats slowly mills away the EPS to the shape, the final product will have. the prevous hull still being milled to be continued...