Design of specialist tooling to equip Nuclear Submarines

Context and challenges

This client, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established a strong position within global markets including Civil Aerospace, Defence and Power Systems.

The project is dedicated to Tooling Design and Modification Programme. The types of tools ranged from simple lifting and handling equipment, to complex welding fixtures, hydraulic press tooling, cleaning and pickling tools and robust product manipulation workbenches.

This client appointed Assystem as the preferred supplier for the design of specialist tooling, into Submarines. In fact, the Assystem Tooling Design team was based upon the client’s site and developed substantiated design solutions that were used in the assembly of products for on-board applications.

Project scope

Deriving the tooling requirements from the high-level client User Requirements Specification, to produce a detailed Tool Design Specification.
Managing the design maturity through the client Design Process.
Developing concept solutions for down-selection by the client - for detail design.
Producing of a sufficiently defined design with the necessary design substantiation & verification to pass the client Design Review.
Developing all required manufacturing drawings, specifications, procedures and necessary supporting data to enable the tool to be produced.
Compiling the Technical File for the client and the required fixture passport needed to record the safe use and maintenance of each tool.

The scope typically included; Concept Design (Produced in Siemens NX 11), Detail Design (Detailed to ASME 14.5), Design Substantiation & Validation (MathCAD), Safety Assessments (DRA’s, DFMEA’s & FMEA’s), Structural Verification (to structural code BS 2573 & BS EN 13155), CE Marking (Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC)

Client benefices

Improvement of delivery and schedule adherence thanks to aligning project delivery for each tool against the client Tooling P6 Plan
On-Site delivery of design, using the client PLM software for integrated design delivery.
Cost-effective pricing structure thanks to standardised development processes aligned with the client processes
Niche cost savings thanks to the development of LEAN delivery processes
Financial safety of the project thanks to costs and risks shared between stakeholders
Compliance with both Assystem governance process and the client design process.