Scale-To-Order

Abstract

In the super-yacht industry, value is added by customisation of design. From an engineering perspective, standardisation contributes to working more efficiently and effectively and thus less costly. The perspective of naval architecture company C-Job is that standardisation can contribute to engineering lead time reduction. Since customisation (adding value) and standardisation (reducing costs) are counterparts, a conflict arises when both are aimed for. This thesis proposes a strategy to implement design reuse principles to answer the main research question: How can reuse of design of the non-owner spaces on super-yachts, support reduction of engineering lead time? To provide a substantiated answer to this question three topics are studied. These topics are the design process within C-Job, principles of design reuse and commonalities within existing super-yacht designs. The results of studying the three pillars of this thesis substantiate the proposed solution called the Scale-To-Order strategy. Analysing the design process at C-Job shows that a great portion is consumed by iterating the design to solve all space claim clashes and grid mismatches. Omitting space claim clashes and grid mismatches in an early stage of design would therefore eliminate a significant part of the design process. Reviewing literature on design reuse leads to suggesting the underlying principles of design standardisation, modular design and parametric design for application in the S-T-O strategy. The proposal of using these three principles is based on the commonalities that are found in existing yacht designs. The resulting strategy consists of three stages that follow the kick-off meeting with the future yacht owner. In stage one, principle solutions are chosen, based on the greatest commonalities in existing yachts, that include a typical arrangement below the main deck and a corresponding structural global model and HVAC and sewage principles and routing. In stage two, modifications to the solution chosen in stage one are made if desired. Anticipated modifications can be made modular on beforehand and new modifications can be introduced as modular in the future. Stage three is the scaling of the global model to the desired dimensions and serves as a compliance check for integrity of the model. The goal of the S-T-O strategy is to accommodate engineering lead time reduction in the design phase of super-yachts at C-Job. The expected amount of time saved by employing the strategy is roughly fifty percent of the original concept and basic design phases.