Octo for shipbuilding fabrication
Between the hull design and the cutting machine, the shipyard exchanges files: parts in DXF (a 2D drawing format), cutting programs, profiles in DSTV, reports of parts nested on the plate (nesting) and measured block points. Octo can read these files, cross them with the parts list and point out what diverges, all prepared for human review. The ones who release cutting, welding and the block are the shipyard's qualified people, with the classification society.
Six possible deliverables, drawn from the research. All of them start from files the shipyard already exports; none touches the cutting machine or the robot, and all of them go to review by a person.
It can cross the coded parts that come out of AVEVA, CADMATIC Hull, ShipConstructor or NAPA with the block's parts list and point out missing parts, extra parts and diverging areas.
Deliverable: list of discrepancies per blockIt can read nesting reports in batch and summarize utilization per plate and per block, list remnants and point out nestings that mix parts from different blocks, for planning to decide.
Deliverable: summary per plate and per blockIt can open the profile files, count contour and hole blocks and point out files with no start, no end or no outer contour before they go to the profile line.
Deliverable: check table per fileIt can compare the points measured by total station or laser tracker with the design nominal and set apart those above the tolerance defined by quality. The one who releases the block is a qualified person.
Deliverable: deviation report per pointIt can link the steel heat number, plate, nesting and block from the exports of the design system, the cutting CAM and the management system (ERP), and point out gaps in the record.
Deliverable: traceability table with gaps flaggedProposes a diagram of the data path between design, nesting, cutting, welding and measurement, with the formats of each handoff and the procedure for using the scripts.
Deliverable: draft of the flow and the instructionsThe same Octo cycle, applied to shipbuilding fabrication. Each arm has a narrow role; the ones who approve and release are shipyard people.
Which design system, which cutting CAM, which machines and which formats: coded DXF, ESSI or G-code, DSTV, nesting return XML.
How the shipyard names part, block, thickness and material in each file. Without this explicit standard, one list cannot be compared with another.
Read-only access to the exported folders. In naval defense work, nothing leaves before approval from the client's compliance team.
The file that already comes out of the system (DXF, report, XML, CSV) instead of touching the CAD database or the machine control.
Prepares Python scripts that only read and report: DXF through the open-source ezdxf library, the rest through the standard library.
Runs the script on a block already cut and checked and compares it with what planning and quality know about it. It checks by content, not by "it ran without errors".
Only with your OK, it runs on the machine the shipyard cleared, inside its network, and leaves the report right there for review.
Coding standard, formats and what was checked in each version. The script for one shipyard is not taken as ready for another.
Octo does not release cutting, welding or blocks. Tolerances, welding procedures and structural approval belong to qualified people, the classification society and the maritime authority.
The criteria Octo uses to choose, stage by stage. Only on the exported file, never on the machine control.
| Task | Path | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Generate coded parts for cutting | AVEVA, CADMATIC Hull (Autopart), ShipConstructor, NAPA | Output in coded DXF; the naming standard changes by shipyard |
| Nest plates and profiles | AVEVA Plate and Bar Nesting, CADMATIC Plate Nesting, ShipConstructor Nest, Nestix, Almacam, Lantek, SigmaNEST, ProNest | Batch import documented by the CAM vendors |
| Return the nesting to the model | CADMATIC with AlmaCAM: CadmaticExport.exe <bloco> generates the XML that Hull imports | Documented by CADMATIC; the exporter comes from Alma |
| Check DXF parts against the list | Script with ezdxf | Block parts list exported from CAD |
| Check profile files | Script over the DSTV blocks (ST, AK, IK, BO, EN) | DSTV file that goes to the profile machine |
| Summarize utilization | Script over the nesting report exported as CSV | The CSV columns change by software |
| Program a welding robot | RinasWeld (reads .STEP, .IGES, .IFC, .ATX), Almacam Weld; Inrotech needs no CAD | Octo reads what comes out; it does not program the robot |
| Compare block measurement with the nominal | Script over points exported as CSV | Alignment done in the measurement software |
Three steps. Each one only makes sense after the previous one has shown results in your operation.
A proposal, not a promise
With read access to the exported folders, you ask in business language and Octo proposes the script and the report.
The parts check and the nesting summary can start running at each block release, in the shipyard's environment.
The data path from design to measurement can become a document, and a change of cutting CAM can count on a check prepared for review.
Every point below has a source published by the vendor, by the project or by the responsible agency. The sources are in the next section.
4
points with a published source, each with its reference shown alongside.
CadmaticExport.exe runs with the block name and generates the XML that Hull imports.Source: CADMATIC Hull 2025H2 documentationOcto prepares everything, but it does not sign. The document of record stays with whoever is accountable for it.
Surveys, calculates, organizes and produces the documents: spreadsheets, reports, lists and drafts.
Deliverable: material ready to checkThe licensed professional checks what Octo delivered before signing. If something doesn't add up, it goes back to Octo with the correction.
Step: checked by the person who signsOcto does not sign. Designs, technical reports, ART/RRT, statements of account and any official document are still signed by the licensed professional at the company or agency: here, the naval engineer in charge and the classification society.
Signature: naval engineer and classification societyDocumentation and announcements from the vendors themselves, used in the research.
The assessment starts with one exported folder and a block already checked, without changing anything. You get a proposal of what can be checked in your fabrication, and you decide with that in hand.