McClure Acquires ShipConstructor Software

Alan C. McClure Associates (ACMA) has acquired ShipConstructor, a software package designed to run inside AutoCAD that promotes inter-company co-operation and simplifies communication. One of the program’s greatest assets is its ability to update immediately all parties involved in a specific project. It also makes it possible to share data with other departmental databases such as purchasing, finance and planning. “ShipConstructor gives our clients an opportunity to view all aspects of production from inception to completion,” says ACMA Designer, Jonathan Eccles. “The centralized database provides project standards and libraries, enforcing consistent drawings. All drawings and parts are linked to a high performance SQL Server database. Security privileges allow for real-time access to the same integrated product model for all user groups while preventing accidental data corruption. And, pre-configured reports are always up-to-date and perfectly accurate.” Eccles also commented that modeling in 3D promotes cost savings for the company’s clients in the form of visualization, error checking and improved production efficiency. According to Darrel Harvey, ACMA’s Vice President, “Quite a few shipyards have invested in AutoCAD 3D and the ShipConstructor software gives ACMA an easy, cost-effective way to interface our clients’ projects and bring AutoCAD into a production mode.” Harvey went on to note that ACMA has already completed a Guadalupe-Blanco River excavation barge using ShipConstructor and is currently applying the software to the design of a $7-$8 million SWATH project. “In the competitive world of ship building,” says Harvey, “this innovative software gives ACMA a distinct advantage when it comes to taking a ship owner-developed design to a shipyard for construction.”