iMAST Quarterly, Number 4, 2003
Abstract
Collarless construction techniques are briefly discussed in this quarterly. The feature article focuses on planning and designing a shipbuilding facility. Electric Boat Corporation vision for improving the fabrication of major submarine sections at its Quonset Point, RI, facility. This vision includes not only the investment in the new buildings and facilities, but includes a commitment to the up front planning required to incorporate process improvements and define future operational details. A new plate and shape processing facility that has recently been commissioned at Quonset Point is evidence to the time and effort given to planning. This new facility contains state-of-the-art machines in combination with process technology and innovation that dramatically reduces the internal cycle time, man-hours, and production support costs. In addition, kits from this new facility are now batched and delivered Just-in-Time to the Structural Fabrication operations. The initial success of the plate and shape processing facility has prompted EB to invest in the improvement of down-stream production operations. The next process area being considered for modernization is structural fabrication. In structural fabrication, major sub-assemblies are built prior to insertion into a section of the submarine. The existing structural fabrication building, an old air refit facility dating to World War II, is severely under-facilitized for space and heavy lifting capacity to support the construction of modern submarine assemblies. To support this new facility planning effort, a team of researchers sponsored by the Office of Naval Research has joined with managers, engineers, and trades personnel at EB. The goal of the effort is twofold: first, to define improved processes for assembling structural product families, and second, to use this process information to drive the design of the new facility.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA497218
Entities
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University