Tribon Solutions To Promote Standardization of Data Exchange

Tribon Solutions will promote the standardization of the shipbuilding CAD/CAM data exchange using XML (Extensible Markup Language) to become a de facto standard within the shipbuilding industry.

Historically there have for many years been difficulties with the data exchange between various CAD/CAM systems because they all have unique data formats. There have partly been some practical data exchanges using standard data formats like IGES and DXF. These formats are based on geometry information and primarily used by the "general purpose CAD systems" for data exchange regarding drawings and solid models. Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK) and Tribon Solutions have together made intense research investigations using XML. Through these processes, Tribon Solutions has decided to develop XML-based schemas for transfer of data inside the Tribon system and between Tribon and other systems.

Especially in Japan, shipyards have made large investments in their own in-house CAD/CAM systems. According to Tribon Solutions, coexisting with these systems is a critical element for the future system enhancements, therefore the company has decided to promote the development with financial assistance by Ship & Ocean Foundation (SOF). Tribon Solutions is responsible for disclosing the XML schemas of the Hull data in 2003, and plans to expand into Outfitting data in 2004. Establishment of the XML standard schemas is expected to improve the data exchange to protect earlier made large investments in the in-house CAD/CAM systems.