Boating Industry Canada June 2016 - (Page 18)

M A N U FA C T U R I N G & FA B R I C AT I O N Innovative Robotic Hull Cutting and Sanding, Speeds Luxury Boat Production Fibergass Boat Hull Boat manufacturer Sea Ray speeds production and eliminates labour-intensive manual sanding by applying robotics with help of unique abrasive nylon brush. WITHIN THE BOAT manufacturing industry, Sea Ray is known for innovation. The company, which designs and manufactures more than 40 boat models ranging from 19' dayboats to 65' luxury yachts, has been credited with several "firsts", including being the first to use fiberglass in its pleasure boat construction. Today, the company continues to seek out new methods for more precise construction of its products, while also speeding production. Borrowing from the automotive industry, Sea Ray's approach includes the use of robotics to automate specific tasks, such as the application of gelcoats to fiberglass hulls and decks. Gelcoats provide a visually appealing glossy surface in a wide range of colours while serving to protect the underlying laminate from the effects of UV exposure and water absorption. Sea Ray also uses robotics for precision hole cutting and the removal of excess trim edges. Although automating both these processes is no longer new in the industry, Sea Ray is now taking the next step by applying 18 Boating Industry Canada JUNE 2016 robotics to replace a laborious and time consuming hand sanding process with the help of a unique abrasive brush. "One way we differ from most pleasure boat manufacturers is through our use of robotics to sand the interior of our hulls," says John Potter, Robotics Programmer for Sea Ray. Potter is responsible for Sea Ray's Deck and Hull Trim Cell. After the outer gelcoat is applied to the mold at another station, fiberglass sheets are hand-rolled in layers. The trim cell is used to make the required hole cuts in both decks and hulls that facilitate hardware installation once the part reaches assembly. Some examples of the hole cuts include gimbal, window and fuel fill. As an example of the increased efficiency over manual labour, a deck that previously required four employees and took two hours can now be completed by robots in less than 45 minutes. Currently, the trim cell can complete approximately 20 - 25 parts weekly. Once this work is completed, the interior surface of the fiberglass must be sanded to remove freestanding fibers that

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Boating Industry Canada June 2016

INSIGHT
INDUSTRY NEWS
IMPACT – NMMA CANADA DAY ON THE HILL - Canada’s boating industry came together in Ottawa for two days of discussions, planning and meetings with the new Liberal government and key Ministry staff. This covers the important industry issues and how we hope to move boating forward in 2016. – By Andy Adams
AD NAUSEAM
MANUFACTURING FABRICATION - SEA RAY - Boat manufacturer Sea Ray speeds production and eliminates labour intensive manual sanding by applying robotics with help of unique abrasive nylon brush. – By Greg Rankin – Power PR
MANUFACTURING FABRICATION - CANADA METAL - Canada Metal (Pacific) continues their US market expansion with a new Virginia Manufacturing Center. Continued US expansion could create as many as 70 new jobs over the next three years. – By Craig Ritchie
MADE IN CANADA – STAINLESS OUTFITTERS - Stainless Outfitters, established in 1993 was the original supplier to such well-known names as Hinterhoeller Yachts, builders of Nonsuch, C&C Yachts, Bombardier Aerospace and others. – By Glen Cairns
NMEA - SATELLITE TV - Re-printed from the NMEA Marine Electronics Journal, this story delivers the latest in Sat TV from the experts at KVH Industries, Cobham and Intellian. – By NMEA Staff

Boating Industry Canada June 2016