Dematec to develop digital platform capability for BAE Systems shipyard

Dematec Automation is developing technology which could sit at the heart of the digital shipyard being established at Osborne by BAE Systems Australia, which will deliver the nine Hunter class frigates to the Royal Australian Navy.

BAE Systems has collaborated with the South Australian business to build a digital platform capability demonstrator that connects robots, welding machines, hardware sub-systems, devices and sensors across typical shipyard workflows, where Industry 4.0 technologies are connecting workers, robotic plant and equipment and potentially the Hunter class frigates.

“BAE Systems’ focus is to make Osborne Naval Shipyard the world’s most technologically advanced shipyard, and our aspiration is that Dematec technology sits at the centre of a digital network that brings the precinct together,” David Hart, Director of Dematec Automation said.

Early in 2021, Dematec was selected as part of BAE System’s first 'Innovation Challenge' to create an integration platform capable of providing connectivity, visibility and historical data capture for production plant and equipment and their sub-systems. At a domestic level, the capability is similar to that installed in a smart home where lighting, security, climate, appliances and entertainment systems are controlled through one automated system.

A “track and trace” system is needed at the Osborne shipyard to provide a window on each step in the shipbuilding production process, providing the data needed for construction, future maintenance and continuous improvement of every element on a frigate.

Working within a production cell at the Line Zero testing facility in Adelaide’s Tonsley Innovation District, Dematec integrated its platform with collaborative robots, autonomous intelligent vehicles (AIVs), industrial sensors and industrial programmable logic controllers, each with a variety of industrial communication protocols.

“Our track and trace system demonstrated the capabilities that can be integrated in a real-world system to provide real-time visibility of users, objects, machines, sensors, and events, as well as the historical data capture and recall for quality, compliance, and continuous improvement purposes,” Hart said.

The integration platform operated both a ‘control centre’ as well as a ‘shop-floor operator’ style of application using iPads where teams could manage system access, drill down into in the data being collected and monitor in real time.

“We believe this technology could play a key role in providing the connection between the industrial equipment and associated production sub-systems and the ‘higher level’ scheduling and maintenance software systems to be utilised in the shipyard.”

BAE Systems Australia Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Strategy Director, Sharon Wilson said collaboration with industry and education organisations is crucial to drive industrial capability across the supply chain.

“Technology developed by Australian businesses is vital to help us delivering our digital shipyard, and Line Zero provides exposure for Australian innovation to industry – large and small – across defence and non-defence sectors,” said Sharon.