The article analyzes the difficulties in creating ship design drawings in the traditional way and introduces the 3D scanning solution - reverse engineering from 3D Master, helping engineers shorten time, reduce errors and optimize the process many times over.

Introduction: Why are ship design drawings always a headache for engineers?

In any new construction or conversion project, ship design drawings are always the most important document to check the hull shape, structural layout, power system, construction coordination and acceptance. However, to create a set of standard drawings requires a huge amount of time and effort.

Previously, engineers had to measure manually, sketch by hand and then input data into AutoCAD to create each curve and section. When 3D software such as SolidWorks, Rhino or ShipConstructor appeared, the process became easier but still very laborious, especially when there were no original drawings or needed to restore real ships.

Therefore, more and more engineers choose 3D scanning combined with reverse engineering of 3D Master. This technology helps shorten the time to create ship design drawings to only a small part, while increasing the accuracy remarkably.

3D Master 3D scans ships with Creaform Handyscan

1. What is a ship design drawing?

Ship design drawings are a set of technical documents that comprehensively describe the shape and structure of the ship, including:

• Ship hull shape drawings, contour lines
  
• Ship hull structure drawings
• Longitudinal - horizontal - horizontal cross-sections
• General layout drawings
• System drawings (mechanical, electrical, power)

This is a mandatory document for all stages: design, new construction, inspection and conversion.

2. How were ship design drawings created in the past?

2.1 Manual drawing period: Engineers measured each parameter with a tape measure, a level, a level, and then reconstructed the hull shape with a pen. The error was large, time-consuming and highly dependent on personal experience.

2.2 Giai đoạn chuyển sang AutoCAD: AutoCAD helps to process contour lines more accurately, but engineers still have to manually enter data from the measurement. For ships with complex curves, constructing the outline requires many days or weeks.

2.3 The emergence of specialized 3D software: SolidWorks, Rhino 3D, Inventor, ShipConstructor... help create a complete 3D model with a high level of detail. However, engineers still need accurate input measurement data. Without the original drawing, everything goes back to the starting point: manual measurement - rebuilding each detail - checking for errors.

Result: time-consuming, prone to errors, not synchronized.

3. When you have a real ship: Why not use 3D Scan to make drawings?

This is the step forward that helps engineers "55 times more leisurely". Instead of measuring by hand and reconstructing each detail, high-precision 3D scanning technology allows:

• Scanning the entire hull, deck, engine compartment, system...
  
• Collecting data with an error of only 0.02–0.1 mm depending on the device
• Create a complete 3D model (mesh) that reflects 100% of the real shape
• Convert data to CAD design software

3D Master Scan 3D Ship Turbine in Hai Phong

From there, engineers can easily:

• Reverse design
• Make ship design drawings
• Check for deformation
• Design conversions and upgrades
• Create technical documents for inspection

Not only faster - but also dozens of times more accurate than manual measurement.

4. 3D Master's solution: 3D Scan + Reverse design of ships

3D Master is a pioneer in applying 3D scanning technology to the industrial and maritime sectors in Vietnam. The implementation process will take place in the following steps:

4.1 3D scanning of the entire hull: Using Creaform 3D scanners such as MetraSCAN 3D, HandySCAN 3D, ... to collect data quickly and accurately.

4.2 Data processing: Data is processed by specialized software to create a clean, uniform and suitable mesh for CAD.

4.3 Reverse engineering - reconstructing ship design drawings

From the 3D scan file, the engineering team will reconstruct the standard CAD model, including:

• Ship hull contour
  
• Cross section
• Deck, skeleton, structural details
• General layout and other technical items

4.4 Exporting a full set of drawings: Ship design drawings are exported according to requirements: DWG, STEP, IGS, 3DM or the factory's own standards.

4.5 Outstanding benefits

• Shorten design time
  
• High accuracy, not dependent on the experience of the surveyor
• Easy to convert, expand, design additional
• Suitable for all types of ships: fishing boats, service ships, cruise ships, transport ships, specialized ships

Not only is it more "leisurely" but also more secure, because the data comes from 100% reality without having to estimate.

5. Why is 3D scanning an inevitable trend in the shipbuilding industry?

• Ships always have deformations after a long time of use
  
• Old ships often no longer have original drawings
• Conversion projects often require high accuracy
• Registration is increasingly tightening technical documents
• Shipyards are strongly shifting to 3D design

3D scanning becomes the key to:

• Reducing errors
• Speeding up the process
• Increasing the accuracy of drawings
• Standardizing data for design and construction

Conclusion

Ship design drawings are the foundational documents for all design - construction - conversion activities. In the past, engineers had to spend a lot of time measuring and reconstructing drawings, but now 3D scanning technology and reverse engineering from 3D Master have completely replaced the manual process, bringing outstanding efficiency in speed and accuracy.

If you already have a real ship and want to create fast - standard - accurate ship design drawings, call Mr. Hung - 3D Master: 0986333960 for professional 3D scanning service consultation.

3D Master is always ready to accompany engineers and businesses in all maritime projects.

Contact

 

Hotline - Zalo - LINE - Telegram - WhatsApp - Viber - Kakaotalk: +84 982 089 198 | 0986333960

Email: cuong3dmaster@gmail.com | hung3dmaster@gmail.com | tech3dmaster@gmail.com

Website: https://3dmaster.com.vn