Automated Ship Constructor
This is a large round or oval shaped platform, depending on the ship being constructed, with a large open space in the middle. Inside this open space a ship can be constructed as the platform slowly moves down the ship's frame. On the outer part of the Constructor a hanger area allows materials and parts of the ship to be brought in. These parts are then transfered through out the inside of the Constructor with convayers and positioned into place by heavy automated construction arms.
The ASC usually conducts a single pass and builds a frame before it goes back and starts to contruct the rest of the ship from inside out. This is done in sections and after each section is complete it can be sealed off and pressurized while the ASC works on the next part of the ship. The pressurized and complete section can then hold crews for system installation and intergration.
Another advantage to this system is that it builds all parts of one section at the same time. This means that whole section is built at the same time instead of some parts being completed weeks ahead of others. As long as the Constructor is feed with material it will build and expand the ship its tasked until completion. Unlike begins this system can work around the clock and its efficency does not suffer. It never gets tired or feels ill or needs time off to eat. Every part of the ship can be completed to the highest quality grades every time.
The ASC also comes in a specialized version created for the construction of ships with the new Carbon Matrix Armor. This diamond like armor is manufactured directly inside internal factories. You could say it is "grown" within the ASC and transfered in long sheets to construction arms around the inner opening. They bound to the ships frame before extending out from it into complete sections. All sections and parts of the ship are molecularly fused together so that all parts are as strong as others.
With the Constructor able to manufacture this Carbon Matrix material almost indefinatly, it is able to construct a ship from it more quickly than any other ship made from regular material. The construction process never has to stop in order to recieve materials because everything needed is already being created from within.
While the ASC constructs the whole ship it still can't install all the systems needed to run one. For this reason after each sections is completed it is sealed and people go inside to install power generators, wiring, weapons, computer systems, and all other systems necessary. External weapons emplacements are mounted using this Constructor unit as well. Its arms can install and fuse the weapons base into the ship's hull or frame with great precision. These can than be contected internally to other systems.
In order to accomidate many different ship sizes the ASC was created a modular platform. It can be fitted with different sized sections that expand and widen it as need be. After the size is set, blueprints for the whole ship are loaded into its databanks and it can start operations as soon as materials are provided.
Even though the Constructor is automated, it still contains a command station that can monitor or adjust its progress. This station also recieved report from the ASC and requests materials and parts for the construction before they are needed so that the system never has to stop and wait for them to get shipped to it. So security reasons this command station is the only one allowed asses to the outside world and even that is only through comm systems. No Holonet connections are within the station, preventing any sort of hacking or remote system access.
Any attempt to force a boarding of the system or access the computers without proper authorization automatically triggers a shut down of the whole station. Besides the station sealing itself off at every level, the computers also erase all files within them to prevent the ship blueprints and schimatics from getting into foreign hands.
The ASC usually conducts a single pass and builds a frame before it goes back and starts to contruct the rest of the ship from inside out. This is done in sections and after each section is complete it can be sealed off and pressurized while the ASC works on the next part of the ship. The pressurized and complete section can then hold crews for system installation and intergration.
Another advantage to this system is that it builds all parts of one section at the same time. This means that whole section is built at the same time instead of some parts being completed weeks ahead of others. As long as the Constructor is feed with material it will build and expand the ship its tasked until completion. Unlike begins this system can work around the clock and its efficency does not suffer. It never gets tired or feels ill or needs time off to eat. Every part of the ship can be completed to the highest quality grades every time.
The ASC also comes in a specialized version created for the construction of ships with the new Carbon Matrix Armor. This diamond like armor is manufactured directly inside internal factories. You could say it is "grown" within the ASC and transfered in long sheets to construction arms around the inner opening. They bound to the ships frame before extending out from it into complete sections. All sections and parts of the ship are molecularly fused together so that all parts are as strong as others.
With the Constructor able to manufacture this Carbon Matrix material almost indefinatly, it is able to construct a ship from it more quickly than any other ship made from regular material. The construction process never has to stop in order to recieve materials because everything needed is already being created from within.
While the ASC constructs the whole ship it still can't install all the systems needed to run one. For this reason after each sections is completed it is sealed and people go inside to install power generators, wiring, weapons, computer systems, and all other systems necessary. External weapons emplacements are mounted using this Constructor unit as well. Its arms can install and fuse the weapons base into the ship's hull or frame with great precision. These can than be contected internally to other systems.
In order to accomidate many different ship sizes the ASC was created a modular platform. It can be fitted with different sized sections that expand and widen it as need be. After the size is set, blueprints for the whole ship are loaded into its databanks and it can start operations as soon as materials are provided.
Even though the Constructor is automated, it still contains a command station that can monitor or adjust its progress. This station also recieved report from the ASC and requests materials and parts for the construction before they are needed so that the system never has to stop and wait for them to get shipped to it. So security reasons this command station is the only one allowed asses to the outside world and even that is only through comm systems. No Holonet connections are within the station, preventing any sort of hacking or remote system access.
Any attempt to force a boarding of the system or access the computers without proper authorization automatically triggers a shut down of the whole station. Besides the station sealing itself off at every level, the computers also erase all files within them to prevent the ship blueprints and schimatics from getting into foreign hands.