and that on manufacturing resources, environmental resources, and the environment itself, such as production facilities and technical data, are placed under unified computer control, which would enable the design spiral to be accelerated and the optimal design to be worked out.
4-2 Production planning and production management
Application of CIMS would make it possible to work out a construction procedure based on integrated consideration of hull fabrication and outfitting needs using three- dimensional models, and to optimize quickly the scheduling of work. Incorporating procedures, knowledge and standards into the system would enable unerring instructions to be given and workers to be properly supported in making judgments. As a result, the shortage of skilled workers will be compensated for, and it will be possible for unskilled personnel to be adequately technically trained and to learn multiple functions in a short period of time.
4-3 Mechanization and automation
If only to make up for the shortage of blue-collar workers, further mechanization and automation are indispensable, and various improvements entailing modifications of construction processes are already being undertaken in many ship- yards. Application of CIMS would facilitate the generation and supply of all kinds of data and thereby serve to accelerate mechanization and automation. This would eventually enable the working environment to be improved. Further mechanization and automation require that the accuracy of fabrication and construction be kept within a certain tolerable range, and for this reason different equipment and construction methods from those in current use are being studied. As a result, shipyards with completely different profiles from today's yards will emerge before too long.
5. Technological development for the 21st Century
In preparation for their entrance into the 21st Century, the shipping and ship- building industries have selected three top-priority themes for technological development: ? pursuing greater safety for ships; ? contribution to preservation of ocean spaces and the earth environment; and? creating new demands by perfecting more advanced shipping and shipbuilding techniques with state-of-the-art technologies and constructing new systems.
Among the research and development themes to be pursued in the days to come, this article introduces a subject of the third theme, the research of large scale floating structure (Mega-Float).
5-1 Research and development of the Mega-Float
For Japan a country made up of small islands surrounded by seas on all sides, the importance of the use of ocean spaces for the development of its social economy is rapidly increasing.
In April 1995, Japan's shipbuilding and steel manufacturing industries joined together with the support of the Ministry of Transport and the Nippon Foundation to establish the "Technological Research Association of Mega-Float", an organization devoted to the research, development and practical utilization of the Mega- Float.
At present, various practical experiments and R&D investigation using a large-scale floating model are scheduled for three years since fisical 1995 and satisfactory progress is being made.
The results of these studies are expected greatly to fulfilling high- level and diversified social needs in the near future in forming transport foundations such as physical distribution bases, and sea airports, and life foundations such as facilities for disposal of waste matter, etc.
