How to Turn a Battleship Replica into a Naval Inventory Tool

How to Turn a Battleship Replica into a Naval Inventory Tool

Ever think that a dream of yours is impossible? That it will just take far too long to complete so why bother?  No?  SolidWorks users never cease to amaze us with their creativity, drive and determination.  Today we revisit a story that embodies this sentiment.

Last May we looked at SolidWorks user Donn McKinney’s 30+ year dream to recreate a fully operational replica of the U.S.S. Missouri. (On a smaller scale, of course.)  Donn is part of a team engaged in producing operational replicas of the Iowa Class Battleships with the goal to put these operational ships on display for the education and enjoyment of the general public, in various locales.

However, the development of fully operational battleship replicas is only part of Donn’s story. During his creation of these naval models, Donn also discovered another use for SolidWorks that may help naval engineers.  Through his efforts to recreate the Missouri, Donn developed the ability to take hard copy designs and convert them into electronic media.  This electronic media can then be modified in both design and engineering systems, and then turned back into a hard copy at any scale desired (think “Honey I Shrunk the Kids”, but for full scale vehicles).

... Continued