Siemens strengthens in shipyards

Siemens is supporting the maritime industry through a crucial period with software-aided Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, which reduce time-to-market by up to 50 percent due shortening development, design and engineering times. The software also helps shipbuilders avoid costly, time-consuming errors while enhancing the productivity and flexibility necessary for working with suppliers. Siemens’ PLM technology makes it possible for all of the design, simulation and manufacturing data in a ship to remain available throughout the ship’s life. More than half of all the major shipbuilders are now using Siemens’ PLM technology in their projects. Many of Siemens’ shipbuilding customers are represented on its Website through case studies, including Hyundai Heavy Industries, Fincantieri, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Lürssen Werft and the Damen Shipyards Group.

Overcapacities and competition from new suppliers, together with changes in market demand forces shipyards to improve development and design time, while reducing the costs of both the building and operating of ships. To meet these challenges, new technologies must be introduced in the shipbuilding industry. Many shipyards work together with engineering offices, associates and suppliers to develop, build and test new classes and versions of ships. One of the significant tasks is to develop all the project-specific components at low cost while still meeting all requirements and delivering on schedule. Siemens’ PLM technology supports this process – from engineering and design of the components, through the planning and manufacturing simulation. Simulation of assembly and virtualization of the processes involved enable the workflow to be optimized before construction of the ship actually begins in the yard. Testing and analyzing alternatives at this stage can drastically reduce the rate of error and development time. At the same time, a number of fields, such as product development, ship design and quality assurance, are integrated into the production planning and control of the shipbuilding on the basis of a uniform digital platform . The central PLM database not only reflects the current state in development of a ship, but can also document every change in its design and engineering. Every party involved throughout the value chain can access this data according to its specific authorizations and duties. As a result, the design of the ship and the handling of the project can be substantially more dynamic. The range of Siemens’ PLM technology helps leading shipbuilders and suppliers create the "digital ship" and the "digital shipyard".

Siemens is expecting the use of its PLM technology to increase in the future, especially in shipbuilding. These solutions are used extensively in many other industries with complex requirements, such as the aerospace industry and the automotive industry. Today, 63,000 companies in 62 countries worldwide are using Siemens’ PLM technology.

Siemens’ PLM technology will be exhibited at the world's largest shipbuilding trade fair, the SMM in Hamburg, Germany, from Sept. 7 - 10, 2010. On stand 360 in hall 6, Siemens will present the solutions that shipbuilders can use to execute their complex projects both efficiently and cost-effectively.
(Source:www.transportweekly.com)