An integrated design environment for 3‐D geometric modeling of shipbuilding engineering

Abstract This paper describes the development of an integrated and interactive ‘quick’ design environment for concept designs utilizing application builder visualization tools for the components of shipbuilding engineering. The design environment consists of modules inter‐linked within a visual network editor. Each module (or filter) operates on a data set using a data‐flow paradigm. The primary modules consist of a Read/CAD input module, a surface (geometry) generator and render modules. Large variations in surface geometry for the designs may be found using the solution to certain sets of partial differential equations (PDEs) whilst varying the associated boundary conditions. The interactive nature of the environment is highlighted by the fact that changes in the boundary conditions of the designs for the Read/CAD module are immediately reflected by changes in surface geometry modeling the design through the module links. Here the designer may, in a single session, investigate a broad range of designs each one providing important geometry information. The representation of a simple hull, a propeller blade geometry and impeller blade geometry for an axial‐flow pump is demonstrated. It should be noted that standard techniques of surface representation, such as B‐spline interpolation, require a large number of control points to achieve this. The PDEs method approaches the representations of the designs as a boundary‐valued problem which ensures that a fair surface is generated and, secondly, that a small set of design parameters is needed. The small parameter set is of importance, since we can first manipulate the design with ease, and second, use it to great advantage in the task of functional design.