Original Date: 07/21/2003
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Electric Boat Corporation, Quonset Point Facility’s use of 2-D Mockups for the installation of wiring and piping before the actual equipment is available, has greatly reduced the cycle time of construction. 2-D Mockups enable early construction time and lessen the confined work space for the installation of the equipment.

Prior to the Virginia Class, Electric Boat Corporation, Quonset Point Facility (EBQP) hardwired electrical components in submarines directly into the components. The only exceptions were the communication and indication items. Late delivery of parts, coordination of hook-up with other operations and assembly, and space limitations made this installation difficult. A new Virginia Class design/build philosophy led to the connecting of components, including major controls and power units. By using 2-D Mockups to template electrical hook-ups to hardware, actual construction and subsequent technology insertions are facilitated.

Many improvements were immediately realized in the handling of the lightweight, easy-to-manage 2-D Mockups, in lieu of the actual electrical component. The mockups provide ease of installation within restricted work spaces of the deck packages which include many of these electrical components. The physical constraints within the confines of electrical equipment that normally exist are greatly reduced or eliminated. When attached to mockup frames, the packing of Multi-Cable Transits (MCTs) for cable entrances can be accomplished with ease because of greater accessibility. The open configuration of the mockup facilitates the use of cutting and crimping equipment, cable forming and manipulation, and other hookup-related tooling. Another advantage to using mockups is in maintaining the proper sequence of work when equipment requiring an electrical hookup is not available. The 2-D Mockup electrical hookup is connected, installed, tested, sold, and protected until the actual equipment is available for load out. Cable wire checks are performed through the mockup while still connected, reducing plug wear and potential damage to plugs through repetitive plugging and unplugging cycles. This approach eliminates expensive tactical hardware from being overly exposed to potential damage during ongoing construction operations. A 64% reduction in work effort for the control panel wiring was realized with the use of 2-D Mockups.

In the initial design/build team’s concept for deck outfitting, the use of 2-D Mockups was intended for use on major components. Recognizing its potential, operations teams have expanded the original concept and now use 2-D Mockups on a number of lower-level systems.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.