Maxsurf News - August 2006
In this issue
User Productivity Enhancements
Expanded Automation/VBA/Macro support
Maxsurf - Parametric Transformation
Workshop - Automated Generation of Production Drawings
Hydromax - Enhanced Criteria Heeling Arms
User Profile: One2Three Naval Architects
Formation Design Systems is pleased to announce the release of version 12 of Maxsurf. Our product development program of enhancements and additions is continuing to expand with all major modules having substantial additions in this release. All members of the Maxsurf subscription program will be sent Maxsurf version 12 over the coming weeks.
User Productivity Enhancements
Our main focus for Maxsurf version 12 has been to enhance user productivity. To this end we have added capabilities so that it is now possible to customise the user interface of all Maxsurf applications. You can create and customise your own toolbars and toolbar buttons; giving yourself instant access to your most commonly used commands. For example, you can create your own toolbar so that switching precision and turning trimming on and off can be done with a single mouse click. The icon for each toolbar button can also be fully customised, making it easier and faster to recognise your most commonly used commands.
Another enhancement to the Maxsurf user interface is the option to be able to either dock, auto hide or float the Maxsurf Assembly window. The Assembly window was introduced in version 11 and has significantly improved user’s productivity through its right-click user interface features and the drag and drop organisation of surfaces into assemblies.
See a video of the User Interface enhancements in the Maxsurf suite.
Maxsurf Links with Rhino
In response to the fact that more and more of our users are using Rhino in conjunction with Maxsurf, we are now providing complete round-trip data exchange with Rhino. This allows both import and export of Rhino models and preserves information like surface names and colours and surface trimming.
Rhino is a very useful software tool to complement Maxsurf. Our recommended approach is to use Maxsurf for the major hull surfaces which require highest fairness, and then to use Rhino for superstructure modelling and for modelling of other features like fillets or deck features. We recommend starting designs in Maxsurf in order to use its comprehensive fairness evaluation tools and in-built hydrostatics. This also ensures these surfaces are well suited to using Maxsurf’s parametric transformation capability for matching your hull model to desired hydrostatics characteristics.
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| Tug model in Maxsurf. | Tug model in Rhino. |
The Maxsurf/Rhino combination allows you to take advantage of the strengths of both programs. More information on Rhino can be found at www.rhino3d.com.
Click here to see a video demonstrating the new Rhino file reading and writing capabilities in Maxsurf.
Expanded Automation/VBA/Macro support
The ability to write scripts using a Visual Basic programming language and control Maxsurf from applications that support scripting such as AutoCAD, Word and/or Excel was introduced in version 11. Now, in Version 12, this Automation function is also available for the analysis programs in the Maxsurf suite: Hydromax, Seakeeper and Hullspeed.
A wide range of applications can benefit from Automation. One example would be writing a script to automatically generate NACA profile appendages where you specify the dimensions, taper, aspect ratios and sweep angle in Excel and save as a Maxsurf surface. With Hydromax Automation you could simulate a truck driving on to a car deck and evaluate the longitudinal strength analysis results by writing a simple script in Excel. Another simple example is preparing your company’s stability booklet format and layout in Word and then use Automation to do a "Get latest Hydromax results" for any project.
The combination of Maxsurf, Hydromax, Seakeeper and Hullspeed Automation can also be useful for parameter optimisation studies. Using the Automation on the Maxsurf parametric transformation function for example, you can generate a parametric hull form series with different LCB, block or prismatic coefficients and then automate optimisation of their stability, sea-keeping and resistance. A number of Excel sample files, which show how to take advantage of Automation, are included with each program.
Click here to see a video where Automation is used to design a bike in Maxsurf!
Maxsurf - Parametric Transformation
The Parametric Transformation function in Maxsurf has been updated to provide additional functionality. These new features include the ability to modify the following parameters -
- Parallel Midbody - In a merchant vessel that has a parallel midbody, it is important to be able to perform parametric transformations on the fore and aft portions of the vessel without affecting the midbody.
- Midship Area Coefficient - This parameter determines the fullness of the midship section and the magnitude of any bilge radius.
- Topside Flare - This parameter is unlikely to be used for commercial ships but is useful in the design of leisure craft, both power and sail. The flare angle of the topsides at the position of greatest beam can be specified. This flare is also distributed in a fair manner forward and aft, tending to taper out near the extremities.
Click here to see a video showing the additions to Maxsurf's renown Parametric Transformation feature.
Workshop - Automated Generation of Production Drawings
Workshop's primary role in the initial, parametric definition of structure is now being further extended into the generation of standard production drawings.
Version 12 adds two automated production drawing functions. Shell expansion drawings may be generated showing the girth expansion of all structural parts about the baseline or any other arbitrary waterline or buttock. The expansion drawing is a requirement of many classification societies and may be exported in DXF format for further detailing and refinement.
Stringer inverse bending lines aid production in the generation of the correct curvature of stringers. The inverse bending lines are marked onto the initially straight structural stock and during forming, the lines will transform until they are straight. This indicates that the correct curvature has been reached. As with the shell expansion, production drawings are automatically generated from the parametric structural design and may be exported via DXF for creation of detailed drawings for production purposes.
Another new feature of version 12 makes it possible to define shell plates that stretch across the centreline. This will be a welcome feature for the development of deck, bow cone and transom plates.
Finally, a new command has been added to create a family of stringers from two parent stringers. This is ideal for optimising stringer spacing in areas where stringer spacing varies over length. The command generates a user specified number of evenly distributed stringers between the two parent stringers.
Click here to see several videos demonstrating these additions to Workshop.
Hydromax - Enhanced Criteria Heeling Arms
One of the key strengths of Hydromax is its extensive range of stability criteria. The criteria dialog in Hydromax provides access to a large pre-defined criteria library and also allows customisation of, for example, project specific criteria.
The criteria dialog now allows users to define a heeling arm which can then be cross-referenced into any number of criteria. This definition of the heeling arm in one central location ensures that all criteria which use that heeling arm use exactly the same settings. Any required modifications can then be made in one place with all dependent criteria being automatically updated.
Additionally, generic forms of heeling moments have been added. Heeling moments are different to heeling arms in that, with heeling moments, the magnitude of the heeling arm changes as the vessel displacement changes due to different loadcases or during a limiting KG analysis. These generic heeling moments can be cross-referenced into any number of criteria.
Click here to see the enhanced Hydromax criteria in action in a video.
User Profile: One2Three Naval Architects
During the past 20 years of our involvement in developing software for naval architects, we have seen naval architectural practices progressively adopt more and more software to automate various parts of the design process. Naval architecture firms have shown a willingness to embrace the latest technology to improve the quality of their work, improve design productivity, and deliver a more complete package to the shipyard.
One good example is One2Three Naval Architects in Sydney, Australia. Although founded relatively recently in August 2005, their business is built on the extensive industry experience of principal Steve Quigley and his team of ten naval architects and draftsmen. One2Three specialises in the design of custom built pleasure boats and high speed ferries. As the name suggests, they are involved in monohull, catamaran and multihull designs.
They have recently extended their investment in technology by adding ShipConstructor to their existing Maxsurf and AutoCAD software tools. This enables them to take on a wider range of projects and deliver higher quality production drawings to their customers.
For initial stage design they have long used the range of tools in the Maxsurf suite. This covers hull modelling, stability and performance prediction. They also utilise the Workshop module in Maxsurf to do initial structural layout.
After modelling has been completed using Maxsurf and stability verified with Hydromax, One2Three uses Workshop to fair stringers and develop plates. This production data is then exported to ShipConstructor and combined with a 3D DXF file from Maxsurf. In ShipConstructor, parts are defined and assigned to designated stages in the assembly sequence or build strategy. All production output, such as nest drawings and assembly drawings, is then automatically produced from the structural model and the build strategy.
"The 3D structural modelling in ShipConstructor forces us to work more accurately and allows us to do more annotation and production detailing" according to One2Three. The extra time spent on modelling and production detailing is compensated by the fact that ShipConstructor automates all "less attractive parts of the job like nesting and keeping track of part names and annotation".
The quality of the production drawings is a key part of the process and as one shipyard has described it, "the best engineering drawings we have ever seen". For the shipyard the ShipConstructor output from One2Three results in significant time savings on the shop floor and a practically error-free production process without any rework and minimum material waste. 
One2Three not only delivers assembly drawings and nesting data, they also use NavisWorks to assist in collaboration and visualisation. On their current project the vessel is being built at Island Boats USA so tools to assist in collaboration with a distant construction location are especially useful. NavisWorks allows both design and production personnel to "walk through" the ship model prior to construction commencing. One2Three are able to deliver the 3D ShipConstructor model to the shipyard in viewable format that can be loaded onto a laptop and taken onto the shop floor to help identify parts and keep track of the build process. 3D NavisWorks renderings have also proven to be a useful marketing tool when presenting new vessels to customers.
One2Three has also recently adopted Multiframe, a structural analysis program from Formation Design Systems. This provides full 3D beam theory structural analysis of hulls and superstructures.
To further extend their scope of subcontracting capabilities, One2Three has now deployed ShipConstructor’s integrated pipe and equipment modules which will enable them to deliver systems engineering services to shipyards. When combined with the existing structural modelling, this allows the engineering team to prepare a near complete vessel model that is thoroughly checked to prevent clashes and can also deliver production output of piping systems.
More information on One2Three can be found at www.one2three.com.au.
Island Boats are at www.islandboats.com
