Proceedings of the REAPS Technical Symposium. Paper No. 19: AUTOPART, AUTONEST, AUTODRAW Systems for Interactive Generation of Production Information. This paper describes AUTOPART, AUTONEST and AUTODRAW, a suite of new AUTOKON program for parts definition, nesting, verification and general drafting. They are implemented in interactive graphic technology using a mini computer and a Tektronix 4014 storage tube for communication. AUTOPART and AUTONEST may be used as a stand alone system providing N/C cutting information, partly replacing similar functions of the AUTOKON batch system.

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.

The ADAGE Interactive Nesting and Drawing System is based on the ADAGE GS/300 Interactive Graphics System and a main host computer. The main computer contains the ship design routines, such as AUTOKON, and the Graphics Display System is used to display individual parts calculated by AUTOKON or to draw new parts as may be required, to visually nest these parts on a sheet meal plate, then to display the tool path required to cut the nested parts layout. This Nesting and Drawing package was first developed two years ago as a feasibility study by ADAGE in Italy for a major Italian shipyard, Italcantieri. Since that time Italcantieri has completed the development to the point that it is scheduled to go into production in July, 1976.

Parts definition language used to describe ships parts for N/C fabrication can also be used to assist the designer/draftsman in producing ship's plans. Expanded coding techniques developed by General Dynamics allow the efficient application of the AUTOKON Parts Program to provide the interface between the drafting function and the numerically controlled flat - bed plotter.

The planning environment in American shipyards has undergone a change[of technique and attitude with the upswing in use of computers. Traditional planning mechanisms have given way to PERT networks and sophisticated data collection and reporting computer systems. This transition has not been as successful as was intended as evidenced by the planning and scheduling problems faced by many of these computerized yards. Data processing was moved from the basic accounting arena into operations research and massive production-oriented systems which has diluted the planning effort. This is caused by planners which have not evolved from production, a planning attitude that the computer can solve all problems. and management's inability to recognize the shortcomings of computer software. Technology is available to assist the shipyard with total planning and complete ship's plans and schedules. However planning. in itself, must be adapted to use this computer technology and not be driven by it.

When the decision was made to proceed with the development of the Interactive Graphics version of the SPADES System, a list of requirements and goals was made. One of the major considerations was to have total interchangeability between the graphic and the batch mode of the System such that rework could be processed easily, whether the original work had been done through the 'CRT' or in batch. As much as we would like to think otherwise, experience has taught us that changes and revisions are an ever present way of life during the ship design and construction process. The requirement was also set that none of the SPADES management and control features would be compromised because of the graphic. In order for the graphic version to be a useful production tool, the user would have the capability of totally checking parts and/or burning tapes generated through the CRT without having to wait for a drafting machine drawing and/or computer printout. It was also decided that the user would have the capability of switching from one program to another directly from the tube without re-initializing any program at the central computer. The plans called for four CRTs to be on simultaneously, and for at least one batch SPADES program to be also running at the same time. This requirement caused the only major modification of the then existing SPADES System in order to allow different programs to read and write records from the same data base at the same time. By combining the use of virtual memory capability of the computer and judicious use of overlay, all the applicable programs have been linked together in one executable module.