3D-Sea optimizes vessel electrical design with CADMATIC Electrical
Leading Portuguese maritime design and engineering company enhances its vessel electrical design with CADMATIC Electrical.
3D-Sea, known for its expertise in maritime design, faced the challenge of synchronizing extensive electrical designs across complex vessel projects. With a growing demand for precision and collaboration in vessel electrical systems, 3D-Sea recognized that a disconnected design environment created inefficiencies, requiring separate tools for each stage of electrical planning and modeling. The adoption of CADMATIC Electrical in 2023 marked a shift, offering a solution for all electrical project deliverables in 2D and 3D that integrated electrical diagram creation directly within the company’s existing CADMATIC Outfitting environment.
“CADMATIC Electrical has truly elevated our efficiency and precision, transforming how we approach the electrical scope of our projects.”
Federico Sisci
General Manager, Naval Architect, 3D-Sea
Cadmatic use in a nutshell
Customer challenge
- Manage disconnected electrical diagrams and inefficient data updates across platforms for complex vessel designs.
Cadmatic solution
- CADMATIC Electrical for integrated 2D and 3D modeling, advanced cabling database, and synchronized schematics with Cable Router
“We were already using Cable Router in CADMATIC Outfitting for other electrical applications, so the addition of 2D electrical diagram capabilities within the same platform was very exciting for us,” he explains. This integrated approach allowed 3D-Sea to synchronize 2D diagrams with their 3D models, enabling an efficient and streamlined workflow that was previously unattainable.
Intuitive setup with a familiar interface eases the startup process
Getting started with CADMATIC Electrical was straightforward for 3D-Sea. The software’s interface, which offers an AutoCAD-style layout option, provided a familiar environment that eased the learning process for their team.
“Setting up the basic functionalities was intuitive, and we quickly became accustomed to the interface. When we advanced to version 24, we started exploring more complex features, such as automatic schematic generation based on specific datasets, which required a deeper setup,” says Federico.
To aid in their learning curve, 3D-Sea leveraged Cadmatic’s extensive resources, including user guides and webinars. These materials proved instrumental in helping the team unlock the full potential of the software.
“The user guides and webinars provided the insights we needed to make the most of CADMATIC Electrical’s capabilities,” Federico notes.
Support – a responsive and reliable partnership
3D-Sea’s journey with CADMATIC Electrical was also supported by Cadmatic’s dedicated support team, which provided rapid assistance whenever issues arose. According to Federico, Cadmatic’s support has been consistently responsive and effective.
“They addressed our concerns swiftly, allowing us to maintain our project momentum. Beyond issue resolution, Cadmatic’s support team also offered proactive advice that prevented similar challenges from arising in the future, contributing to a smooth and confident transition to the new system.”
Centralized control for efficient electrical design
In their current workflows, CADMATIC Electrical serves as a comprehensive database for all electrical cabling and device information, eliminating the risk of data duplication. The software’s capabilities allow 3D-Sea to create detailed connection schematics, which accurately represent the vessel’s cabling. This information is then seamlessly integrated with Cable Router in CADMATIC Outfitting, ensuring consistency and clarity across platforms.
This synchronization provides full control over cable tray and penetration fill rates, allowing for optimal space usage and adherence to design specifications. Additionally, CADMATIC Electrical’s production information extraction feature enables 3D-Sea to generate detailed reports for the production team, covering critical information such as cable paths, pull marker locations, device placements, and cable lengths.
“This structured approach has improved our installation and production efficiency, supporting a smoother and more coordinated workflow,” Federico highlights.
Streamlined data management and automation
Federico indicates that CADMATIC Electrical’s robust database and data management features are among the most valuable aspects for 3D-Sea. For instance, the bulk import and update functionality allows them to streamline data handling, which is particularly beneficial in projects with extensive cabling requirements. The database management tools enable the team to handle detailed connections, making it easy to update multiple entries simultaneously.
“Once we refresh the database, any changes – such as device names, cable types, or pin connections – are immediately reflected throughout the project,” Federico explains.
This automation eliminates the risk of outdated information and enhances workflow accuracy, as any discrepancies are promptly flagged for resolution.
Case study – The Crest SOV project
One of the flagship projects at 3D-Sea utilizing CADMATIC Electrical is the Crest Service Operation Vessel (SOV), a vessel designed by HAV Design and constructed by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding for a joint venture between Crowley and Esvagt. The vessel, intended for offshore wind farm support in Virginia, presents a unique set of challenges due to its complex and advanced systems. The project includes over 6,500 cables, more than 200 cable specifications, and 2,800 devices.
“CADMATIC Electrical has been invaluable in managing the immense volume of information on the Crest SOV,” Federico reflects.
The software’s ability to maintain and update documentation in real-time has been indispensable, enabling 3D-Sea to handle intricate electrical design requirements efficiently. This project showcases both 3D-Sea’s expertise in maritime electrical systems and CADMATIC Electrical’s powerful capabilities in managing complex data environments.
3D-Sea – elevating efficiency and precision in shipbuilding
As the shipbuilding industry continues to demand higher levels of engineering precision, advanced tools like CADMATIC Electrical play a crucial role in achieving detailed and integrated designs across all disciplines.
“CADMATIC Electrical allows us to create designs that are both precise and highly coordinated, reducing the need for rework and helping us meet deadlines without sacrificing quality. By leveraging CADMATIC Electrical, 3D-Sea has optimized its workflows, enhancing both design and production timelines while maintaining strict quality standards,” Federico concludes.
