CAD/CAM UPDATE Getting the electrics right first time
TECHNICAL developments that have occurred over recent years across all disciplines of the marine industry have created electrical system integration challenges that are more akin to the world of complex building design.
T
HE humble pen and paper is struggling to keep up with the demands set by
electrical system integration challenges and naval engineers are increasingly turning to CAD software as the solution. The extensive use of automated computer
control systems for machinery controls, navigation, radars and passenger/crew safety systems, along with the return to electric propulsion systems, are just some of the stimuli for using new technologies; creating increased complexity and driving the requirement for integration management onboard. The majority of all boats now need some
form of electrical integration, the extent of which is magnified as the size and complexity of the vessel increases. Additionally it is unlikely that all the equipment for any sized project will be sourced from a single manufacturer; and this means that there are many electrical and electronic products working to different standards that need to communicate _ be connected together – and all this involves a complex cabling network and panel design. The increase in electrical power required to
feed all these applications has also spurred a rise in higher voltages being transported around the vessel which, in turn, requires cabling that performs to the highest of safety standards. In addition; these compatibility, consistency and new technology challenges have driven the rise in international standards, which requires full traceability and documentation of electrical systems.
Complexity and cabling The use of more technology and more power ultimately results in more cable that invariably has to span longer distances, resulting in some common issues:
• Defining the proximity of different cables to each other to avoid signal interference issues and the required segregation of wiring to avoid problems with susceptible wires.
• Establishing the required gauge of a cable (the external diameter of the cable related to the copper conductor width).
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Integrating new technology that is introduced late in the project; equipment specified at day one on a complex vessel project may be obsolete by the time it comes round to being built. The knock on effect of this is that technology will need to be replaced and cabling layouts redesigned to ensure compatibility.
While complex cabling structures are becoming commonplace, so too is the
THE NAVAL ARCHITECT FEBRUARY 2007 E3 . Cable harness for manufacturing.
Zuken documentation for manufacturing and service.
presence of distribution panels loaded with automated control units, circuit breakers and contactors associated with every aspect of the vessel; from safety and mechanics through to comforts and luxuries. Designing these for full reliability is vitally important to ensure the safety of the craft. For instance, critical systems must be separated and connected to a system that will supply back-up power. Should power be lost from the main engine, critical applications like radio communication and radars need to remain in full operation.
CAD for cables and panels CAD software is used in many instances for boat design, particularly when it comes to modelling parts of the structure like the hull; but only recently has such software’s potential been harnessed for electrical system design onboard. One software suite,
which has been used in many industries including aerospace, automotive, railway, and machinery manufacturing, comes from Zuken and is called the E³.series. This integrated Windows-based suite is for
the design and documentation of electrical control systems, and has various individual modules including E³.cable and E³.panel. E³.cable allows engineers to create block
diagrams under logic control, which provides an overview of all electronic and electrical elements. With this defined, the user can go on to connect all the functional modules using single wires, shielded or twisted cables and bundles. It will automatically select correct connectors, identify collisions, and deal with susceptible wires. Engineers can view cables and connectors in various formats on different sheets and output assembly drawings or signal tables to supply to manufacturing.
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