Electrical turnkey supplier Telesilta trusts CADMATIC Electrical as their electrical design software

Finnish electrical turnkey supplier ensures high-quality documentation with CADMATIC Electrical

Customer challenge

• The successful execution of demanding ship projects requires highly precise and error-free documentation.
• Adapting to the increased requirements of projects.

Cadmatic solution

• Create all needed electrical engineering documents with one software.
• Centralized data management ensures accurate design data and up-to-date documentation.

”With CADMATIC Electrical, we can design all required documents for project delivery while simultaneously enhancing the design process by utilizing, for example, cable and parts lists with quantities provided automatically by the software, as well as the software’s standardized symbols.” – Joonas Puustelli, CEO, Telesilta Oy

The evolving role of electrical systems in shipbuilding

The role of electrical systems in the shipbuilding industry has changed significantly over the last decade. The number of systems in a ship has increased, and there is a growing demand to collect more information from them, while the level of automation has increased to a new level.

“If we think for example of a hybrid-powered vessel, the electric generator, electric propulsion and battery systems require a huge number of I/O points from the automation that controls them, which must be taken into account in the design and installation phases,” explains Joonas Puustelli, CEO of Telesilta.

Such development, combined with the demanding details of vessels, has raised the requirements for design software. For example, the limited space and weight restrictions of ships create challenges for the design that must be considered during the design phase and naturally, the design software should support overcoming these challenges.

“Especially in smaller vessels, weight distribution must be considered. Poor decisions or mistakes made in routing can result in thousands of kilograms of extra weight from cables, which naturally affects the vessel’s performance,” Puustelli adds.

The importance of design software in project execution

Typically, Telesilta’s projects are carried out on a turnkey basis, meaning that Telesilta manages everything from the electrical design to material procurement and assembly. With many variables in these projects, the software must enable flexibility in the design processes and adapt to various challenges. Successful electrical system installation requires extensive and detailed documentation, making the design software's role significant in the project.

“High-quality documentation is extremely important in these projects. Our installers always remind us that successful installation and delivery of the project require good, up-to-date drawings on-site,” Puustelli explains.

With CADMATIC Electrical, Telesilta designers can do all the necessary design work for their projects.

“In our Marine projects, we design layout drawings, circuit diagrams, and control panel layouts, all of which can be done with CADMATIC Electrical. In addition to the design features, the software’s standard symbols and high-quality support are a definite advantage for us,” says Puustelli.

In addition, the design data can be shared with other departments for their use. For example, the automatic generation of cable connection lists in Excel files and parts lists for different components significantly reduces the manual workload.

The design of SWATH-vessels

Currently, Telesilta is working on the complete delivery of electrical systems for SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) vessels, manufactured by Uudenkaupungin Työvene. These twin-hull vessels differ from traditional catamarans, particularly by maintaining greater stability in rough seas at high speed.

“The design of electrical systems for this type of work vessel requires particular attention to detail, as they are weight-critical and there is very little room for error during the installation phase,” Puustelli explains.

In addition to precise design, it is important to consider future needs as well. The SWATH vessels are equipped for hybrid readiness, meaning that the electrical systems may need to support electrical power generation in the future.

Skilled designers enable high-quality project deliveries

To get the most out of the design software, the designers’ expertise must also be at a high level. Telesilta’s designers participated in a tailored training course led by CADMATIC Electrical expert Tommi Piispa in the spring of 2024 to maintain and develop their skills.

“The design software is constantly evolving and it’s important that designers develop themselves at the same time to be able to utilize the software’s features in their daily work. As the level of automation in the software increases, designers cannot work the same way they used to years ago,” says Puustelli.

The designers found the training to be comprehensive and high-quality. In particular, they appreciated the training recordings, as these allow them to revisit the examples whenever needed in their work.