Changing the material of a keel structure can mean reworking its geometry.
For a production yacht, we were asked to assess whether an existing cast-iron keel structure could be replaced with a CNC-machined alternative. The brief was to develop a viable manufacturing process while preserving the keel’s specified overall weight and centre of gravity.
Engineering around a new manufacturing process
Working closely with the yacht designer, we selected F1140 steel for the machined structure. Machining the original geometry in a denser material would have increased the weight of the structure and altered the mass distribution of the keel assembly.
We revised the geometry to account for the difference in density. The amount of material removed determined the weight reduction, while its location affected the centre of gravity. We had to balance both requirements with what could be machined in production.
From engineering to batch production
Once the geometry was finalised, we coordinated CNC machining of a batch of keel structures and bulbs and delivered the finished components to the boatyard.
For yacht designers and boatbuilders, we can assess how a change in material or manufacturing process will affect an existing design, work with you to adapt it to the original specifications and manage production through to delivery.
Considering a different way to manufacture an existing design?
Let’s talk it through >
For a production yacht, we were asked to assess whether an existing cast-iron keel structure could be replaced with a CNC-machined alternative. The brief was to develop a viable manufacturing process while preserving the keel’s specified overall weight and centre of gravity.
Engineering around a new manufacturing process
Working closely with the yacht designer, we selected F1140 steel for the machined structure. Machining the original geometry in a denser material would have increased the weight of the structure and altered the mass distribution of the keel assembly.
We revised the geometry to account for the difference in density. The amount of material removed determined the weight reduction, while its location affected the centre of gravity. We had to balance both requirements with what could be machined in production.
From engineering to batch production
Once the geometry was finalised, we coordinated CNC machining of a batch of keel structures and bulbs and delivered the finished components to the boatyard.
For yacht designers and boatbuilders, we can assess how a change in material or manufacturing process will affect an existing design, work with you to adapt it to the original specifications and manage production through to delivery.
Considering a different way to manufacture an existing design?
Let’s talk it through >
