On 9 October, Damen Naval’s Engineering Support team completed a “functional delivery” upgrade of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform from FD06 to FD10. The significance of the upgrade is that it delivers several ‘fixes’ and introduces multiple new enhancements, which will enhance the overall performance and functionality of the platform.

“3DX has proven to be a valuable new tool for Damen Naval, but as with all new applications and developments, there are always teething problems,” says 3DX CAD Application Manager Kajetan Sekuła. “To ensure that the software works to its full capacity, several upgrades and fixes were necessary. We are pleased to say these have now been completed.”

Here’s a quick recap about the 3DEXPERIENCE platform (otherwise known as 3DX). When Damen Naval secured the contract to build four F126 frigates for the German Navy in June 2020, this not only marked the start of Damen’s largest project in its history, but also the most complex. Because of this complexity, the decision was made to implement a new project management software platform. The reason for this that the old solution, which had fared well for many years, simply could not support the scope of this new German frigate project.

The 3DX Engineering Support Team. The 3DX Engineering Support Team.

The chosen platform was 3DEXPERIENCE: a ‘cloud-based’ IT environment that can support all stages and processes of product development in real time. 3DX provides a place to synchronise all project activities into a single interface. For Damen Naval’s F126 team – working in Vlissingen, Schiedam, Hamburg and Galaţi – this offers one platform for the diverse array of project disciplines, including planning, quality control, requirements management, risk management, change management, and of course, engineering.

“3DX has proven to be a valuable new tool for Damen Naval. To ensure that the software works to its full capacity, several upgrades and fixes were necessary. These have now been completed.” Kajetan Sekuła

The fixes and enhancements of this latest upgrade of the 3DX environment were initiated through so-called Enhancement Requests by Damen Naval’s engineering teams and, therefore, will be critical in continuing the engineering process. “Our team diligently planned and scheduled multiple weekends dedicated to this upgrade to ensure a smooth transition,” adds the team. “During these weekends, we worked to ensure a seamless upgrade process without disruption to day-to-day operations, thus minimising any potential delays.”

The Engineering Support actively collaborates with key users to gather valuable insights and information essential for improving future software versions. This proactive, forward-thinking approach aims to further enhance the efficiency of the 3DX platform. The team concludes by emphasising that the Engineering Support team is ready to assist 3DX users. “Please don’t hesitate to contact us if any issues or challenges arise from this upgrade. We are committed to helping you resolve any problems and ensuring the seamless operation of our systems.

To overview