From Design to Production: an integrated advanced methodology to speed up the industrialization of wooden boats

A new design and construction procedure for manufacturing wooden boats is presented, based on modular, parameterized components produced by computer numerical control (CNC) machining. This semiautomated procedure greatly reduces time requirements for vessel assembly compared with traditional methods and yields similar economic viability to other less sustainable materials such as fibreglass. Starting from computer-aided design drawings, the three-dimensional geometry is optimized considering target functions (resistance, dynamics. . .). Segmentation of wooden strips and transformation into two-dimensional segments permits to simplify CNC machining, with component borders shaped and tapered for better interconnection. Tool path generation is part of the cutting procedure to achieve the required components with the minimum use of raw materials and operational time. All strips, together with the frame, are manufactured using a 5-axis CNC machining center and finally assembled to produce the first industrialized prototype of wooden boat. Manufacturing in this way represents a significant step toward viable mass production of wooden boats.