Laser-Cutting and Welding of DDG-51 Structural Shapes
The application of high-power industrial lasers to the production of structural shapes for shipbuilding has been analyzed. Requirements for T-and I-sections used in a DDG-51 class vessel were used to evaluate a cost/benefit ratio for fabricating shapes vice purchasing hot rolled sections. Results of the study indicate that fabricated shapes offer significant tangible and intangible benefits to the shipbuilder, and that the entire shipset of T's and I's can be cut from plate and welded to actual net shape for less cost than the purchase price of stock lengths of hot-rolled shapes. Savings from elimination of complex layout and cutting operations further add to the benefit. The high speed and high accuracy of modern industrial lasers makes possible an efficient, flexible, and cost-effective approach to the production of structural shapes. A further benefit is the potential to design a ship with structurals having the same depth, vastly improving the speed of outfitting such as the installation of piping, wireways and vent runs.