PLANNING FOR AUTOMATION FOR SHIPYARDS - AN ILLUSTRATIVE STUDY

The problem faced by the shipbuilding industry is to produce a working design and to build the product from this information in a cost-effec tive manner. The experiences of some world leading shipyards reveal th at automation is a promising approach for increasing profitability. In this paper a framework for automation is constructed based on a solut ion-cause-effect analysis. Firstly, the symptoms are identified. The p roblems which cause the symptoms are then analyzed. To solve the probl ems, several possible solutions are proposed consequently. Finally, th e consolidated actions for each solution are formulated. The solutions can be categorized as technology and management, each has interaction s and interdependence on the other. The whole process of planning for automation is exemplified by a shipyard of China Shipbuilding Corporat ion (CSBC). While the discussion is confined to CSBC, the approach is generic enough to be applicable to other shipyards and other industrie s.