CADCAM evening held at Landamores on 28th February 2008

Thirty members and guests attended the CADCAM evening held at Landamores on 28th February.

Andrew Wolstenholme started the proceedings with a brief history of the development of computer aided design and how this has transformed the transfer of information between the designer and the boatbuilder, streamlining the build process and increasing accuracy and efficiency.

He was followed by David Lewin who had come up from Burnham on Crouch for the evening to tell us about the French company Naviline. Naviline produce interior joinery kits and subassemblies for builders such as Dufour, Jeanneau, Beneteau, and Rhea, using the latest CADCAM techniques. The interiors are computer modelled in full detail in 3D prior to the cutting of components on CNC machines. Materials and components are tracked through the factory using bar coding methods and just-in-time and lean manufacturing principles are employed resulting in high levels of efficiency. At least one UK boatbuilder has started using Naviline to supply yacht interiors.

We then had short talks by several ABA members describing how more modest use of CADCAM methods had been of benefit to them. Colin Buttifant talked about using CNC cut moulds in strip plank timber construction, and Adrian Harmer from Aquafibre showed how CNC cut and 5-axis milled components has changed their approach to plug building.

Oliver James from Windboats then described the use of their Proline digitiser and how it enabled them to digitise timber patterns for bulkheads and sole boards so that these components could then be cut on Landamores CNC machine. Windboats aim is to do away with the need for storing timber patterns and rely on digital information.

Kevin Webster and David Wolstenholme from Landamores talked of their experiences with their CNC machine and how they were continually discovering new ways in which they could utilise the machine to significant effect. We were then taken down to see the machine and the evening finished with a fine demonstration by Simon Barker from Windboats who digitised a vanity top pattern and then had it cut in Corian by David on the Landamore machine.

The message of the evening was that CADCAM isn't rocket science and it is a development which is cost effective for even the smallest boatbuilding company. Anyone who didn't attend the evening but would like to learn more could contact any of the people listed below.

Landamores - CNC facility

Windboats - digitising service 01603 782236

DC Marine - laser CNC facility

Wolstenholme Yacht Design - computer aided design