BAE Systems Australia has announced the successful completion of trials conducted at the Osborne Naval Shipyard and Henderson shipyard, utilising laser scanning technology to create 3D models of pipes found on the Hunter class frigate.
The weeklong trials, which followed initial testing at the Line Zero - Factory of the Future facility in Adelaide’s south and BAE Systems Australia’s Henderson shipyard, proved the capability of the technology in a real manufacturing environment.
Each Hunter class frigate requires thousands of pipes with unique dimensions, that, using a hand-held scanner, that can be 3D modelled in as little as five minutes.
The company says that the equipment and software are precise up to 100-200 microns.
The 3D model can be stored to create a digital twin of each individual pipe used in construction, resulting in a more accurate representation of the Hunter class frigate to streamline production processes.
“We are working with cutting-edge technology to drive as much efficiency as possible in the shipyard,” said Sharon Wilson, BAE Systems Australia’s Business Development and Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Director.
“This is yet another example of adapting commercially available equipment, which we have tested in the open environment at Line Zero – Factory of the Future, for use in the shipyard.”
“The insights gained from these trials have huge benefits not only for our Hunter Class Frigate Program and the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program, which we are delivering with our partners in the Warship Asset Management Agreement, but also for continuous naval shipbuilding here in Australia,” she said.