Intergraph and Avondale Industries Reach Major Milestone in LPD 17 Construction
Intergraph Technology Validates First Phase of Design Process
NEW ORLEANS, La., May 5, 1999 -- Intergraph Corporation, (NASDAQ: INGR) the technology provider for LPD 17, and Avondale Industries, Inc., the project’s prime contractor, announced the first unit of steel has been cut for LPD 17, the next generation of U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships. This major milestone validates the use of computerized design tools including Intergraph’s Integrated Ship Design & Production (ISDP) suite of shipbuilding products to shorten design time and improve design accuracy. The use of this technology is also helping the Navy reach one of its goals of lowering Total Ownership Costs.
Intergraph’s ISDP tool suite is being used in conjunction with Avondale’s SPADES steel production system to help minimize fabrication and schedule risks. ISDP is used to design all 3D structural models of the LPD 17 and authenticate the 3D geometry before the production phase is undertaken. The design is reviewed and checked for interference using Intergraph’s Design Review which simulates the manufacturing process and allows the designer to take a virtual walkthrough of the 3D model. The ability to detect and correct any errors before construction is begun, results in lower construction costs and shortened construction schedules.
“This is an important achievement for the program,” said Avondale’s David L. Bergeron, Vice President of Operations Planning and Scheduling. “We are exploring new waters with the computerized design of LPD 17. Each time a product or new process is validated, we push the envelope for future Navy shipbuilding and acquisition programs that will continue to be driven by Total Ownership Cost Reductions.”
Intergraph, tasked with providing the computing infrastructure for the engineering teams building the LPD 17, is part of the Avondale Alliance which has been awarded the $641 million contract. The Alliance is made up of Avondale Industries, Inc., Bath Iron Works Corporation, Intergraph Corporation, and Raytheon Corporation with 17 networked sites across the U.S.
Intergraph is helping the Alliance reach its top goal of a reduction in Total Ownership Cost through its Integrated Process and Product Development (IPPD) and Integrated Product Data Environment (IPDE). These two environments use Intergraph hardware, software and integration services for the design-through-life cycle management of ships.
Alliance members are working together to re-engineer the process of shipbuilding design by applying state of the art technology to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The first construction unit is expected to take two months to assemble with full production beginning this summer. The LPD 17 is expected to launch in the year 2001 and deliver in 2002.
Intergraph Background Information
A computer industry pioneer, Intergraph Corporation provides a diverse
range of comprehensive engineering, mapping/GIS, emergency management,
and IT solutions (hardware, software, and services) for the process and
building, utilities and transportation industries, and for local and national
governments. For the creative and technical desktop or enterprise, Intergraph
offers Intel/Windows NT-based workstations, PCs, and servers, support,
consulting, and training services. Industry analysts consistently rank
Intergraph as a top solutions provider in the markets the company has served
for three decades.
Intergraph common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market under
the symbol: INGR. Visit our web site at www.intergraph.com for more information.
Avondale Industries, Inc., headquartered in metro New Orleans, designs, builds and overhauls both military and commercial ships. Avondale common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol AVDL. Visit Avondale’s web site at www.avondale.com for more information on the company.
Intergraph and the Intergraph logo are registered trademarks of Intergraph Corporation. Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Eileen A. Heaton
(256) 730-8207
eaheaton@ingr.com,
http://www.ingr.com/
United States:
1 (800) 260-0246
International:
(256) 730-3707