Tribon Solutions will promote standardization of the shipbuilding CAD/CAM data exchange using XML (Extensible Markup Language). There have been difficulties, in the past, with the data exchange between various CAD/CAM systems because they all have unique data formats. IGES and DXF data formats have been used, however, they are based on geometry information and primarily used by the “general purpose CAD systems” for data exchange related drawings and solid models. Their functionality has not been adequate for handling ship models and as such these tools have not met demands of various specific shipbuilding systems.

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK) and Tribon Solutions have together researched the merits of using XML. Tribon Solutions has decided to develop XML-based schemas for transfer of data inside the Tribon system and between Tribon and other systems. Since Japanese shipyards have made large investments in their own in-house CAD/CAM systems, Tribon Solutions decided to promote the standardization process with assistance of Ship & Ocean Foundation (SOF). Tribon Solutions is responsible for disclosing the XML schemas of the Hull data in 2003, and intends to expand into Outfitting data in 2004.