SHIP CONSTRUCTION NOTES By Capt Ajay Puri

Lofting is a drafting technique (sometimes using mathematical tables) whereby curved lines are
generated, to be used in plans for streamlined objects such as aircraft and boats. The lines may be
drawn on wood and the wood then cut for advanced woodworking.

The technique can be as simple as bending a flexible object, such as a long strip of thin wood or thin
plastic, so that it passes over three non-linear points, and scribing the resultant curved line; or as
elaborate as plotting the line using computers or mathematical tables.
Lofting is particularly useful in boat building, when it is used to draw and cut pieces
for hulls and keels. These are usually curved, often in three dimensions. Loftsmen at the mould lofts
of shipyards were responsible for taking the dimensions and details from drawings and plans, and
translating this information into templates, battens, ordinates, cutting sketches, profiles, margins and
other data.[1] From the early 1970s onward computer-aided design (CAD) became normal for the
shipbuilding design and lofting process.
Lofting was also commonly used in aircraft design before the widespread adoption of computer-
generated shaping programs.

Lofting is the transfer of a Lines Plan to a Full Sized Plan. This helps to assure that the boat will be
accurate in its layout and pleasing in appearance. There are many methods to loft a set of plans.
Generally, boat building books have a detailed description of the lofting process, beyond the scope
of this article. Plans can be lofted on a level wooden floor, marking heavy paper such as Red Rosin
for the full-sized plans or directly on plywood sheets.

Two men lifting templates in the mould loft, Tyneside Shipyards, 1943.

The first step is to lay out the grid, mark the Base Line along the length of the paper or plywood
sheet. Then nail Battens every 12 inches (or more in some cases) where the station lines are to be
set as a mark for the perpendicular line, which is marked with a T-square. The previous steps are
followed in turn by marking the Top Line and the Water Line. Before continuing make sure to check
the lines by using the Pythagorean theorem and make sure the grid is square.
The second step is to mark the points from the table of offsets. All measurements off the table of
offsets are listed in Millimeters or the Feet, Inches and Eighths. The points are plotted at each
station then use a small nail and a batten to Fair (draw with a fair curve) the boat's lines.

Numerical Control ( NC ) in Shipbuilding :

The process of manufacturing the various parts of the hull, which may be bounded by the ship's side,
e.g., double bottom floors, brackets, bulkheads, web frames, stringer plating, etc., can be fully
automated and controlled by means of computer generated information.

N.C. (Numerical Control) machines in use in shipbuilding include automatic draughting

machines, several varieties of N.C. flame-cutting machines and their associated computer
programmes, and a N.C. frame bending machine.

Computer-numerical control machining is a process used primarily by manufacturers to

produce machined parts, products, items. CNC machines are what accomplish the
process.

A CNC machine is a machine that utilizes Computer Numerical Control over machine
tools like lathes, routers, grinders or mills. Computer Numerical Control is different from
typical PCs in the type of software used to control the machine, which is specially
customized and programmed with G-Code — a specific CNC machine language that
allows precise control of features like speed, location, coordination and feed rate.

Specialized software drives the computerized machining. The software has customized
G-code, the language that enables precise control of coordination, feed rate, location
and speed, among other factors. The G-code-infused software sits within a computer
that looks like a sophisticated desktop.

One programmer at the computer console can command machine work that would be
the equivalent of multiple operators on lathes, grinders, routers, mills and shapers. The
computerized, automated machining method can achieve reaches, holds and other
actions human operators and conventional machines typically don’t do efficiently.

Manufacturing finds CNC machining particularly useful because the industry needs
large amounts of metal and plastic parts, often in complex shapes. A variety of CNC
machines offer the advantage of having multiple axes that can adjust to difficult angles
and help manage hard-to-cut materials.

Basic machines have a cutting implement along X- and Y- axes that can each work
independently, yet simultaneously. Advanced machines may have up to five axes that
perform similarly and have the capacity to turn and flip the part. For example, the Z-axis
moves up and down.

CNC machines can automate the jobs that require several cuts. A router or spindle
turns the cutting implement, which usually resembles a drill bit. A true drill bit cuts only
at the tip, while nearly all of a router bit cuts the material.

The programming in CNC machines incorporates all the exacting, high-speed

movements needed to produce the object, and it enables detailed customization. CNC
machining is becoming increasingly popular as a way to fabricate metal parts as well as
plastic parts, as it allows the manufacturer to produce complex shapes that would be
nearly impossible to create manually. Many industries, especially manufacturers, look to
CNC machining advantages for production solutions involving metal and plastic and any
number of machining processes they may need.

ADVANTAGES OF CNC MACHINING

Precision Components: The digital template and autonomous machining of CNC
practically eliminate human error and achieve accuracy within 1/1000th.

Reliable Endurance: CNC machines work around-the-clock daily, weekends and

holidays. They only stop for needed maintenance or repair.

High Production and Scalability: Once the design parameters and specification have
been entered into a CNC machine, it consistently executes huge quantities and affords
flexible scalability.

More Capability: When used in tandem with advanced design software, CNC
machines create outputs that cannot be replicated by manual machines. Even the most
gifted engineers can’t do with conventional machines what advanced software can do
with CNC machines. These machines can produce any size, shape or texture needed.

Less Labor: CNC machining requires fewer personnel to execute the production tasks.
One skilled operator can run several of the autonomous CNC machines, and one
programmer can get them loaded with the needed designs. A manual machine requires
at least one skilled operator per machine plus usually a supervisor for the group. What
you save on manpower can be passed along to customers, helping you achieve a
competitive advantage.

Uniform Product: When you choose the advantages of CNC machines over
conventional machines, your CNC outputs match exactly. Even the most talented
engineers on a conventional machine will produce components that vary slightly. With
CNC machines, each part is a perfect match to the prototype’s exact specifications.

Lower Costs: The collective result of high speed, efficiency, specialization, precision
and most of all, fewer labor hours, all add up to a better bottom line for your business.
The lower costs, in turn, can be used to create a competitive advantage and business
re-investment. Saving money or making more money is one of the popular benefits of
CNC machining.

Fewer Headaches: Manual machining serves many good purposes, but it remains
forever susceptible to the human element. You’re probably familiar with the financial
and cultural headaches it can cause when there are periods when you’re short staffed,
have people out sick, or on vacation and operators who don’t perform to expectations.
CNC machining nearly eliminates those concerning issues.

Better Safety: Along with an expedient production process and consistent pieces
comes a safer environment. While there are operators involved in operating CNC
machines, it’s at a distance from the sharp tools, whereas the operators of conventional-
manual lathes, drills, punches and other tools come into direct contact with the
implement.

Design Retention: Once a design has been loaded into the CNC machining software
and a perfect prototype has been created, the program can easily retrieve the design to
run it and create the object again. The master file ensures that regardless of external
factors such as machine-operator changes, the CNC machining process produces a
spot-on match every time. Additionally, there is no need to keep up with versions of the
design that may exist on paper, a flash drive, a disk, other computer or elsewhere.

Low Maintenance: The G-code-based software will automatically update itself when
needed, and CNC machines generally do not require much service other than to change
the cutting implements at the proper interval and do some light cleaning. None of the
regular maintenance requires professional service, which saves money.

Versatility: CNC machining itself creates virtually any component you can imagine.
Some of the models include special features and accessories that further expedite and
simplify the production process, for examples touch screens and automated tool
changers.

A woodworking association surveyed its members, which include cabinet makers,

architectural wood producers and others. A majority of them agreed on CNC benefits
and advantages within their industry.

 Improves machining accuracy

 Enables complex tasks, detail
 Creates flexibility in manufacturing
 Increases safety
 Boosts production volume
 Reduces setup-changeover time

If you haven’t looked into how your metal parts are fabricated, it could pay to find out if
you are using CNC machining or not. There are a great many advantages to using CNC
machines. If your business has a manufacturer that is not using them, you may want to
find out why and consider a change.

4. WHAT ARE THE CNC DISADVANTAGES?

DISADVANTAGES OF CNC
CNC machining won’t be the least expensive option, which you may initially see as a
disadvantage. However, the cost is an investment into long-term savings, efficiency,
client retention and a reputation for quality and reliability.

It costs more initially to have CNC services done for you. Many companies rely on a
trusted vendor to do their CNC machining services for them, which works well for many
businesses across a lot of industries. The first production run will be more expensive
than subsequent ones.

Another disadvantage some machinists perceive with the CNC method is that it works
toward making conventionally manual skills obsolete. Along with them go the math and
science skills developed by those who learn through years of training to operate lathes,
mills, drills and more by hand.

While CNC machining has created tremendous, new opportunities for all kinds of
businesses, it has also led to less conventional machining and ultimately, some
unemployment. However, most experts do not agree that manual skills will become
obsolete. In fact, some think conventional machining will thrive through small and
specialty projects.