Damen Shipyards Group Goes Digital With 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

Last month, when 3DPrint.com attended SOLIDWORKS World 2017, we were impressed by just how much of the conference was focused on 3D printing – but another topic we heard a lot about that week was Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform. The business software solutions platform has become immensely popular across diverse sectors from city planning to aviation to naval defense, and today Dassault Systèmes announced that the platform is now being implemented by a new part of the shipbuilding industry.

Damen Shipyards Group is based in the Netherlands, but it’s a truly international company with a widespread presence on every populated continent. Now, in addition to maintaining a reputation as a global company, Damen will soon be known as a digital company as well, thanks to the adoption of 3DEXPERIENCE and four industry solution experiences from Dassault Systèmes:

• Designed for Sea
• Winning Bid for Sea
• Optimized Production for Sea
• On Time to Sea

With 9,000 employees and 32 shipyards across the world, Damen Shipyards Group is in need of a solution that can help streamline processes and communications between its various locations and groups. The 3DEXPERIENCE solutions will help facilitate stronger collaboration between Damen’s engineering offices, shipbuilding sites and suppliers, and will allow the company to more efficiently manage its portfolio and respond to customer needs.

The shipbuilding industry in general has seen a rocky few years, and it’s become increasingly clear that this is an industry for which there is a lot of urgency in adopting more advanced technology. Shipbuilders have to act fast to stay competitive as demand grows for more sophisticated design and customization services, and Damen Shipyards clearly intends to stay on top by increasing and diversifying its shipbuilding portfolio.

“Competitive shipbuilders must explore new ways to leverage the advanced technologies that are defining a new era in shipbuilding and gain an edge in the industry,” said Alain Houard, Vice President, Marine & Offshore Industry, Dassault Systèmes. “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform and our industry solution experiences transform shipbuilding practices to support strategic objectives. The digital management of complex projects, collaboration across multisite ecosystems, efficient production planning, and virtually exploring alternative design scenarios all impact the delivery of high-quality vessels that meet – or better yet – exceed their customers’ expectations.”

With 3DEXPERIENCE, Damen employees will be able to connect requirements, regulations and project planning in a single digital environment with full traceability. The platform will allow teams to capture and reuse existing data across all business units; more quickly react to design changes; begin planning manufacturing earlier in the design process; and better collaborate with suppliers to deliver ships on time and within budget. The company will also be able to better manage programs and product portfolios to support after-sales services and new product launches.

“Following a thorough analysis of marketplace solutions, we selected Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform to execute our digital strategy and add value to our business,” said Aart Rupert, CIO, Damen Shipyards. “Dassault Systèmes’ portfolio of M&O improves and supports collaboration and operational performance across Damen, to better serve Damen’s customers worldwide.”

Rupert will be speaking at Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Forum Benelux in Rotterdam, Netherlands next week on March 15. You can learn more about Dassault’s Marine & Offshore Industry Solutions here. Discuss in the 3DEXPERIENCE forum at 3DPB.com.