Setting it Straight: Human factors, technology, and pipe alignment in shipbuilding

Australian manufacturing contributes to the economy through skills, knowledge and goods, representing AUD$100 billion to GDP annually (Australian Government Department of Industry Science Energy and Resources, 2020). While the sector has faced considerable competitive pressure over the last decade, substantial investment in the Australian shipbuilding sector has stimulated rapid growth in low volume, high-value manufacturing. BAE Systems Maritime Australia (BAESMA) is at the centre of this revival through the Hunter Class Frigate program.

This report is one outcome of a major research partnership between BAESMA, Flinders University and the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) - a not-for-profit initiative of the Commonwealth of Australia. The IMCRC has partnered with Flinders University and BAESMA to conduct research into accelerating the uptake and diffusion of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in shipbuilding and the Australian manufacturing industry. This multi-year collaboration involves applying human factors and ergonomics (HFE) thinking to the adoption of advanced technologies.