A new, portable cutting system is changing how Newport News shipbuilders perform complex cuts, improving first-time quality, safety and overall quality of life for its operators.

Shipbuilders perform traditional burning by hand, a time-consuming process that requires the operator to double back on their cuts to clean, repair and finalize their work.

With the CN-Seamless machine, though, these same operators focus instead on using software and a tablet to set up a robotic arm that performs the cut. The parameters of each cut – bevel angle, material thickness, cut height and cut speed – remain under complete control of the operator.

The system is a new innovation. Final Assembly Platen (FAP) Superintendent Josh South (O69) initially saw the technology on social media.

“I have a business outside of here where I operate some mobile welding trucks,” South explained. “One of my guys there sent me a video of the CN-Seamless, and I instantly knew we needed it at NNS. I’ve been involved in a lot of robotic demonstrations in the shipyard, but shipbuilders who are burning have not had the same technological advancements as some of the other trades.”

These advancements, South says, make work in the trades more appealing to a younger, technology-driven workforce.

Mechanical Engineer Jack Dougherty (E32) has championed the system’s use throughout the shipyard.

“We piloted the system in November,” Dougherty said. “We then purchased two research and development (R&D) systems to demo across the waterfront, showcasing the system’s capabilities.”

The total weight of the system is only 20 pounds. It features a magnetic base, fits in a case no larger than a standard carry-on-sized suitcase for a flight and can cut material up to 12 inches thick. This portability means that operators can perform cuts on a traditional cutting table or aboard a ship. It is also capable of performing both plasma and oxyfuel cutting.

Additionally, the system’s programming allows the machine to cut from a variety of references, including computer-aided design (CAD) drawings, pre-programmed shapes and even manual punch marks on the material. There is also a newly developed bevel arm attachment, enabling the machine to make angled cuts.

Kai Smith (M21) is a machinist foreman who has worked closely with the R&D team to identify use-cases within the machine shops.

“With this machine,” Smith explained, “an operator can set up a single action that will cut, say, 20 circles in the time that it would have taken them to deliver one final, complete hand-torched circle.”

Rich Shepard (X42), a 13-year shipbuilder, has been the primary operator of the system and praises its ease of use.

“It’s cleaner, it’s faster and it’s much less repair work on the cut,” he said. “With traditional burning, there’s a lot of math involved to get accurate cuts – but this system does that part for me. It’s also easier on my body. I can step back, monitor the cut and get away from the sparks.”

Because of the successful collaboration between the trades and R&D team members, NNS is working to procure additional systems for production use.

Teams who are interested in getting a CN-Seamless system should contact Chris Belter (E92) from the Technology Integration group.