Marine Fabricator September/October 2019 - 20

MPANEL SOFTWARE MODELING

he MPanel Productions software from MPanel
Software Solutions was developed speciﬁcally for

the marine industry to speed up the development of
accurate models and fabric patterns. It includes tools to
optimize digitally-captured boat shapes, build 3D models for client visualization and approval, and efﬁciently
convert the 3D models into panels ready for production.
Images: MPanel Software Solutions LLC.

After optimizing a digitally-captured boat shape,
meshes are added to half of the boat.

The half-boat is mirrored to create a full model
which can be rendered.

Meshes are arranged before converting to panels.

Seams and hem allowances are added to all
panels with a single button.

20 Marine Fabricator | Sept/Oct 2019

onto fabric and cutting. One of the key takeaways from
his still-ongoing research is that strong manual skills are
a must before converting to automated processes.
Amy Poe, co-owner of Wyckam LLC, a Portland,
Ore., provider of solutions for projects requiring industrial sewing, says she began by identifying and then
automating her most time-consuming process.
"Once that solution is in place and saving you time,
look for the next business process to improve," suggests
Poe, who purchased an Autometrix cutter, a digitizer
and CAD software in 2007. "Continued improvement
will eventually reduce your costs, streamline your operations and improve your bottom line."
Start with 2D
The learning curve for certain technology can be steep,
even with supplier support. For example, if a marine
fabricator has never used any form of automation
before, taking a conservative approach can make more
sense and ultimately deliver better results, says Carlson.
"If you buy a Carlson plotter/cutter, CAD program,
3D digitizer and Carlson nesting software all at
once, you have to learn CAD, 3D digitizing, a new
process for making boat covers, the plotter/cutter,
nesting software and basic computer file organization
all at once," he explains. "But if you start with 2D,
it allows the operator to learn how to use CAD, nesting
and the plotter/cutter while following a process similar
to manual patterning."
Taking this approach will make integrating the tools
into shop operations less stressful and easier on employees, encouraging buy-in, Carlson says. Plus, the
business will start realizing a swifter ROI. "The ROI
on a 3D solution that isn't properly implemented is
never," says Carlson.
There's a huge difference between 2D and 3D, says
Klein, describing the switch from the former to the
latter as challenging.
"It pretty much took a winter season for me," he says.
"It's the difference between drawing and sculpting. You
really have to think in 3D. Instead of drawing a line from
a to b, you're extruding objects, poking holes in them,
stretching virtual surfaces between bows, and through
trial and error, making some educated guesses about
stretch and sag."
Anxiety over learning CAD is one reason why companies resist transitioning to digital, says Stewart, who
suggests those completely unfamiliar with the tool
consider hiring someone. "This can be part-time to

Marine Fabricator September/October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Marine Fabricator September/October 2019