Meet the 13 kinds of craftsmen who built this ship

One day, we will use 3D printers to create everything from prototypes to warships. Until then, fortunately, we have some seriously skilled humans to do the job. Take the latest in the US Navy’s main set of warships, the R9,7 billion Arleigh Burke-class destroyer John Finn, which at the time of writing was due to set sail on its first sea trial after more than three years under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Here are the types of trade workers who have reason to be proud. BY JACQUELINE DET WILER

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SHIPFITTERS: These are the puzzle makers who figure out which piece of the ship, called an individual assembly, goes where. Shipfitters also begin connecting the assemblies with plasma cutters, plate rollers, drills and welding machines.

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OUTSIDE MACHINISTS: Experts in alignment, outside machinists install the toys: propulsion machinery, steering gear, radars, antennas and weapons systems. They make sure each piece is placed properly on welded bases known as foundations.

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HULL WELDERS WELDERS: Af After the shipfitters have made initial connections, hull welders use four kinds of welding (stick welding, MIG, flux-cored arc welding and submerged arc welding) to melt a filler material in with the base material, fully fusing the ship’s joints. The process creates a bond as strong as, or stronger than, a plate that hasn’t been welded at all.

ON THE INTERIOR 9

PIPE WELDERS AND FITTERS connect pipes for sewage, water and machinery, using mirrors in tight spaces.

10 MARINE ELECTRICIANS lay out, install and test every electrical system.

11 CABLE PULLERS route 518 kilometres of cable throughout the entire ship.

PERCENT COMPLETION* OF ARLEIGH BURKE– CLASS SHIPS AT HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES