CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
31 August 2007
Implementation Investments
Sanoyas Chooses the FORAN System of SENER
Japan's Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation (Sanoyas) has signed a contract with Spain's SENER for the use of FORAN as its new shipbuilding 3D CAD software. The order has been sealed by Takafumi Itoh (Sanoyas Executive Director) and Luis García (SENER Marine Business Unit Vice President) at a special ceremony in Tres Cantos, Spain, on 31st May 2007.
Although Sanoyas have used 3D CAD developed by a major Japanese shipbuilder, they have been seeking their next shipbuilding system by comparing the different systems available in the market, in order to achieve further integration of design and production as well as efficient design with a core focus on a modern 3D CAD system.
First of all, Sanoyas eliminated almost half of the candidate systems by means of exhaustive questionnaires regarding ship hull and outfitting. They then studied various operational issues through presentations, joint training courses and demonstrations, and eventually came to the conclusion that FORAN would be the most appropriate system. In the last stage of the selection process, experienced ship hull and outfitting design engineers from Sanoyas analyzed the prospective system by conducting 3-week training and workshop at Tres Cantos. The evaluation concluded with a full study of the support strategy for the System, which had to be fully adapted to Japanese shipyards, as well as a thorough technical assessment.
The decision of Sanoyas to implement FORAN for hull structure and outfitting disciplines after a comprehensive evaluation of the available tools in the market, marks a significant event for the Japanese shipbuilding sector. Upon signing the contract, Mr. Itoh confirmed that "we valued technical assessment in the system selection project, however, it is true that we were concerned about being the first [Japanese] user, especially in the ship hull system. We therefore confirmed SENER attitude toward Japanese market, especially in regard to the maintenance, we directly requested secured cooperation and got their promise. In the future, starting from setting up the super-user team and applying sequentially the system to new ships, we aim at a speedy implementation by accumulating system improvements. Seeking a practical system for Sanoyas actual operation, the challenge has only begun."
The first group of Sanoyas super-users will start their advanced training in late June at Tres Cantos. The Implementation plan spans a period of four years, between 2007 and 2010, during which period a steadily growing number of seats and services will be supplied. SENER Okayama office will provide intensive local support when the system enters into real production at Mizushima Works and Shipyard.
Using this new contract as a springboard, SENER will continue to put all their effort into making FORAN the design and production system of reference in the Japanese shipbuilding market.
About Sanoyas:
Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation consists of four principal business groups -Ship & Steel Structure, Parking System & Engineering, Construction Machines, and Leisure Business- and twelve affiliated companies. Each of these individual business units are free to develop original business activities and operations, while they also enjoy the benefits of uniting with and mutually stimulating the other parts of the group. The result is an organic whole which is able to respond to society's diverse needs.
Each business unit has its own production bases, the main factory of the Ship and Steel Structure group being the Mizushima Works and Shipyard, located in Kurashiki City, Okayama. More than ten new vessels are delivered to worldwide owners every year, and their building capacity is continuously increased with advanced shipbuilding technology and the latest in computerized equipment.
The technological strength of Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation is realized through its nationwide network of factories and sales bases; all of which are linked by the latest technology and have accumulated vast amounts of specialized know-how through their many years of experience.
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