This session centered on the current capabilities of several commercially available graphics systems in parts nesting and computer aided shipyard drafting. Three representatives of graphics system vendors participated on a panel to answer questions from the audience concerning their products' capabilities and graphics systems in general. These representatives were Dr. Robert Cowen of Computervision Corporation. Robert N. Hickox of Adage, Inc. and Lou Melancon of Auto-Trol Corporation. In addition, a representative of the italian yard italcantieri S.p.A. was on hand to relate that yard's experience in the use of Adage equipment for interactive nesting. Of interactive nesting italcantieri, in response to questions from the floor, has seen a reduction in nesting labor as a result of using their system from between 20,00 to 24,000 man-hours per year. He further stated this effort represented the production of some 2500 nest tapes. On the topic of system reliability the vendors reported uptimes for their systems in excess of 95%. The cost of these systems was also questioned. Without a clear description of the application, number of users, etc. of such a system, the vendors were able to respond only that the costs ranged from around $100,000 for a single user drafting system on up. On the topic of computer aided design systems two members of the audience reported on the Navy's development efforts in this area. Two current applications cited in the Navy are a computer aided hull lines generation system employing interactive graphics and a graphics assisted ship's arrangements program.

Proceedings of the REAPS Technical Symposium. Paper No. 24: Group Technology and Automated Process Planning, a Change in Management Strategy. The trend toward increased customization is increasing the problems associated with batch manufacturing, both in design and manufacturing itself. Group technology helps to solve these problems and is thus attracting great interest. The benefits of group technology in such applications as design retrieval, design standardization, standardization of machine tool routings, automated process planning, and machine tool investment can bring about dramatic savings in the multibillion dollar manufacturing industry. Three or four years ago, only a handful of companies were interested in group technology. Today, many companies, including a number considered to be highly conservative, are seriously considering or have adopted group technology systems. This increased interest is a reflection of a growing awareness of the potential benefits of group technology, particularly for batch manufacturing. These advantages can apply to both design and manufacturing.

Proceedings of the REAPS Technical Symposium. Paper No 3: Navy Manufacturing Technology Program.

The use of computers has made a tremendous impact on the ship design and the ship building processes in recent years. Designers utilize special programs to optimize their design according to economic and performance requirements. for a certain type of vessel in a certain type of service. From this iterative process, the optimum parameters are obtained and the preliminary design carried out.

Proceedings of the REAPS Technical Symposium. Paper No. 26: Current Status of the Low Cost Parts Definition Project. SYSTEMS.

The law that created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration directed NASA to provide "for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and results thereof." Assuming that the research and development costs supported NASA's primary space and aeronautics missions, then any secondary use of this technology for other non-aerospace purposes would provide an additional benefit to our national economy. The the exploration of space and the advancement of aeronautics generates innovations in almost every field of science and technology and, therefore, provides us with the broadest possible technical base to stimulate progress in areas not even remotely connected to the original research. NASA has established a national network of dissemination centers to serve industry by searching what has become the world's largest data bank of technical information. Technical information that has been provided through this network has resulted in many useful applications and new products. Spinoffs of technology have ranged from medical devices for the handicapped to patching materials for street maintenance and countless applications in between.