Over the years the introduction of new Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software into the design process allowed engineers to significantly shorten the time necessary to produce finished designs. There seems to be an agreement that using CAE tools shortens the time of the design process and improves the quality of finished products. Although, oftentimes in research it is the improvement in quality, which is focused on when presenting new tools. However, in an industrial setting, what also matters and is frequently the main concern are the improvements in time efficiency. It would be undesirable for the newly incorporated software to elongate the process.

In this study, the effects of incorporation of a new CAE tool on the design process is researched in an industrial setting. The opportunity, which allowed for this research is the incorporation of a new post-processing software for the finite element analysis Jan De Nul Marine Engineering and Design Department. In order for the new tool to be implemented, its effects on the design process should be tested. In order to do that, the methods of design were researched in order to find what is the current design methodology and its structure. This is done based on a case study, a draghead gantry for a trailing suction hopper dredger vessel. In this case study the equipment is designed according to the methodology used in the department. Based on the first design, the methodology of design used in the department was codified. Then, problems which were found in that process are addressed and a new design methodology is proposed based on the solutions, literature and adaptation to the new software. Next, the new design process is presented. Lastly, the results of both approaches are shown and compared.