Steve Lusardi wrote:

No computer will ever replace this task,
even big ship yards still must bulletproof the table of offsets for CNC
cutting machines to be accurate.
Steve

Steve,

Maybe a decade ago this was true, but in the real world of today's
shipyard, the cut files are all done on computer, the plate is burned,
and erection starts the next week. The loftsman is a dying breed.

We (commercial naval architects) seldom provide tables of offsets any
more; just send 'em an IGES file of the 3D hull surface, or we produce
all the steel parts in house. No lofting required.

Evan Gatehouse

On Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:16:55 GMT, Evan Gatehouse
wrote:

Steve Lusardi wrote:

No computer will ever replace this task,
even big ship yards still must bulletproof the table of offsets for CNC
cutting machines to be accurate.
Steve

Steve,

Maybe a decade ago this was true, but in the real world of today's
shipyard, the cut files are all done on computer, the plate is burned,
and erection starts the next week. The loftsman is a dying breed.

We (commercial naval architects) seldom provide tables of offsets any
more; just send 'em an IGES file of the 3D hull surface, or we produce
all the steel parts in house. No lofting required.

Evan Gatehouse

Aw shucks! You didn't even mention being able to run a ball bearing
along the panel seams before weldup! :-)

Brian Whatcott Altus OK

Evan Gatehouse wrote:

Steve Lusardi wrote:

No computer will ever replace this task,

even big ship yards still must bulletproof the table of offsets for
CNC cutting machines to be accurate.
Steve


Steve,

Maybe a decade ago this was true, but in the real world of today's
shipyard, the cut files are all done on computer, the plate is burned,
and erection starts the next week. The loftsman is a dying breed.

We (commercial naval architects) seldom provide tables of offsets any
more; just send 'em an IGES file of the 3D hull surface, or we produce
all the steel parts in house. No lofting required.

Evan Gatehouse


While the drawings look small, they are drawn in full scale.

Actually, sometimes much larger than full scale.
When zooming in to locate a point between a waterline and section
I may be as much as 100 x magnification.
Trying for .01 inch resolution.

Can't do that on the floor.

But that's the way it's done these days - and why the parts fit
so well (hopefully!).

Richard

Evan,
I did a bit of research and you are correct, it is now done that way. I
guess I am a dinosaur. God bless computers, lofting is a horrible task. I
know, I have done a lot of it in my life. However, I hesitate calling mouse
work lofting in deference at least to the way it was.
Steve

"Evan Gatehouse" wrote in message
news:rVN3j.3921$UQ1.364@pd7urf1no...
Steve Lusardi wrote:

No computer will ever replace this task,
even big ship yards still must bulletproof the table of offsets for CNC
cutting machines to be accurate.
Steve

Steve,

Maybe a decade ago this was true, but in the real world of today's
shipyard, the cut files are all done on computer, the plate is burned, and
erection starts the next week. The loftsman is a dying breed.

We (commercial naval architects) seldom provide tables of offsets any
more; just send 'em an IGES file of the 3D hull surface, or we produce all
the steel parts in house. No lofting required.

Evan Gatehouse