A computer program has been developed which provided for the elimination of manual applications of standards by integrating previously developed standards into existing computer-aided design systems. Standards for the pipe shop were developed between 1978 and 1979 using Manual MOST (Maynard Operation Sequence Technique). Since 1979, these standards, along with information obtained from existing production computer systems have been used by engineering Personnel to manually apply standards to pipe shop work packages which are part of a production control system used to schedule and track the progress of pipe details through each shop work center.

In the current severely competitive climate that is challenging shipbuilders everywhere, how information is managed is taking on extraordinary importance. Existing computer aided design (CAD) systems have not been focused on the most critical information needs, for example, information to serve marketing. This limitation is the result of concentrating primarily on aspects of design and manufacturing without regard for impact on an overall manufacturing system. In this paper the need to extend CAD systems is identified so that they would more fully provide critical-data to everyone who has to have understanding of a manufacturing system's capability and availability.

Presentation gives an overview of uses and advantages of computer aided design.