Meet ProDesign 3D, a custom design/build firm for exacting boatbuilding customers.

Behind the scenes, ShopBot Tools custom-designs and builds ProDesign’s CNC solutions to ensure smooth sailing.

If pictures are indeed worth about a thousand words each, let’s start this journey via a visual trip to Marseilles, where France’s ProDesign 3D customizes designs and builds boats, catamarans and yachts for dozens of leading boatbuilders, and also designs and builds boat-building kits for motorboats and sailboats.  Here’s the ProDesign 3D racing team and their boat that they designed and built, entirely milled with their ShopBot CNC routers…

Team Photo hull

Team photo 1

Team photo 2

Here are some other finished boating projects from ProDesign 3D…

Red Cat

White racing speed

Yellow Cat

Johan Hallin, ProDesign’s Manager and Technical Sales Consultant, said, “I think what makes us stand out is, we are well-suited for any type of application and find a specific solution for our customers every time. One of our strengths is that we know well the needs of our customers and have the tools and expertise to realize their vision.”

Founded in 2001, ProDesign 3D has expertise in five main areas: engineering studies, 2D etching / prototyping, 3D volume machining, production of composite parts, and complete yachting maintenance and repair.

The company’s engineering experts will study your project from initial idea through the modeling, use 3D modeling software. They perform functions such as hull and stability studies, calculate structures and strength of materials. At this stage they provide conception, design, modeling, prototyping, and feasability studies.

Cad 1

Cad 2Cad 3

They will often use 2D milling to begin a physical model of the parts…

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ProDesign’s machining center is equipped with three custom-built ShopBot CNC routers so that they can precisely perform volume cutting of various materials such as PVC and polyurethane foams, plastics, woods and other non-metallic materials. Some examples of materials that they make are masts, V-booms, full booms, master hull pilotines, catamaran hulls and beams. Here are some samples of their machining process…

 

machining V-Boom with the ShopBot CNC

Machining V-Boom with the ShopBot CNC

Machining in MDF

Machining in polyester paste

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Machining in MDF

Keel

Keel

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wood panels

wood panels

Molding for catamaran

Molding for catamaran

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Johan noted, “Back in 2001 we built our own table (5.2 ‘ x  19.7’) for a ShopBot CNC router, which they custom-designed for us with a 3-foot Z axis. The tall axis allows us to, among other tasks, to machine 3D foam inserts for catamarans; we also use a 1-foot Z for cutting panels. Sallye and Jamie from Shopbot traveled to France to help us with the assembly and to train our team in the initial operation of the ShopBot tool.”

“We worked 6 years with just this one ShopBot tool. As the demand for our custom services grew, we then bought a ShopBot PRS Alpha (6.5 ‘ x 13’ x 1.6 ‘), continuing to use the first tool for larger pieces.  In 2013 we bought a third ShopBot, the PRS Alpha (5′ x 10′ x 1’).”

Johan said, “With our three ShopBot machines we can be very responsive to the demands of our customers, who are always pressed to have their parts quickly!”  Learn more about ProDesign’s processes and services at www.prodesign3d.com

To see other examples of ShopBot Tools at work in boat building, click here.

Learn more about ShopBot’s CNC tools here.

Give ShopBot a call to discuss your boat production needs, at 888-680-4466.

2 comments to Meet ProDesign 3D, a custom design/build firm for exacting boatbuilding customers.

  • I am the department head in the manufacturing engineering technology department here at Butler Community College, El Dorado, KS. I ran across your ad in the Boat Builder magazine. We have cut several molds on out CNC machines but it looks like your system might be well adapted to projects that are much larger. Can you forward me info etc on the equipment?

    Buford Pringle
    Department Chair
    Manufacturing Engineering Technology
    Butler of Andover
    715 E. 13th
    Andover KS 67002

  • Hi Buford,
    Thanks for writing. The ShopBot website is the best place to start.
    Here’s their overview of tools and how to choose: http://shopbottools.com/products.htm

    The Education testimonials section of the site can be useful to look at as well:
    http://shopbottools.com/mMarkets/educationTestimonials.htm

    Many school districts find that going with a 96X48 gantry tool to be the most long-term effective solution.

    I hope this is helpful to you — just give them a call and talk over what you’re looking for. They’re very helpful.
    Michael

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