Project Participants: General Dynamics Electric Boat
Project Start: March 2016

The U.S. Navy and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) have a joint initiative to reduce the construction cost of the VIRGINIA class submarine (VCS) and OHIO Replacement submarine (OR). The Navy ManTech Program is participating in this initiative with specific focus on improving manufacturing processes for ship construction.

VIRGINIA Class Submarine (VCS) legacy data does not contain the level of data that is contained in OHIO Replacement (OR) Program product design. When VCS data is migrated/translated to NX some of the VCS data may be lost. This project will create a lean paperless work package built from the legacy VCS product model that will allow for all data to be maintained. The lean work packages would include only the operations, material, joints and views needed for a particular unit of work. This will enable a ‘shift-sized’ work instruction package that will be able to support variable sized units of work.

The Mobile Computing Design-Build Process project will create tools and processes to enhance Electric Boat’s lean work package, structural fabrication, and outfitting system. These tools and processes would support shift level work instructions, delivered on a tablet in PDF form (including PDF + 3D JT), for the Electric Boat Quonset Point facility using legacy VCS data. The Mobile Computing project will focus primarily on work instructions for structural fabrication. However, the expected outcomes will be applicable to other disciplines. The processes and tools developed in this project will be used in a large-scale prototype illustrating the versatility of the Total Schedule-style authoring and changing of build plans and integration with OR lean work instructions.

The project will be executed in two phases. Phase I will define the requirements for a lean paperless work package and the associated Build Authority data and models needed. Phase I will also include the development of a Build Plan Editor. Phase II will be developmental and will include the integration with the NX delivery work instruction. This integration will be followed by the development of a prototype lean paperless work package. Phase II will conclude with a demonstration of this tool to all stakeholders. This technology, once implemented, could potentially save an estimated $910K per VCS hull.

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Success Story