The forerunner of the REAPS AUTOKON System was acquired from Shipping Research Services (SRS) of Norway by the Maritime Administration for use in participating U.S. shipyards. Twelve independent computer programs communicating with a common database accomplish various aspects of ship design and construction. Significant modifications have been made to these programs since their initial release to incorporate enhancements, resolve failures, and improve performance. At present, the REAPS Technical Staff maintains several versions of the system. Maintenance for the REAPS AUTOKON System which was previously limited only to the UNIVAC installation versions has been expanded to cover both UNIVAC and IBM installation versions.

REAPS AUTOKON has emerged over the last three years as a valuable production tool in shipbuilding. Having its roots in the AUTOKON-71 System developed by Shipping Research Services (SRS) of Norway, REAPS AUTOKON consists of twelve independent computer programs communicating with a common database.

Proceedings of the REAPS Technical Symposium. Paper No. 16: AUTOKON-76/79-An Affordable Implementation on Prime Minicomputers. The version that is about to be implemented on the PRIME mini computer is basically AUTOKON-79 which may be defined as AUTOKON-79 with some improvements as well as several major new features. The very rapid development of the computer industry with steadily falling prices have changed the outlook with respect to computers and their uses. It is presently feasible to use inhouse computers even for very small operations to run the entire AUTOKON system with its present capabilities as well as the developments that are about to be implemented. The traditional way of processing in a batch made with a waiting time for turnaround have given way to an interactive mode of processing where results come much sooner. Gone are also keypunching, job submission, etc. No longer is it necessary to have large number of pages printed out. Output can be examined by means of an editor, i.e. a system program enabling the user to go through print files as well as other files.

The aim of the this report is to present the C.N.C. adaptation of the AUTOKON System. Voluntarily have chosen a practical approach for the first 3 chapters in order to clarify the encountered userproblem and to describe necessary developments during the implementation and use of AUTOKON. Such a system must sooner or later be evaluated on the basis of available resources mobilized by the system and on on the engendered expenses. The chapter 4 of the report yields in a rather precise way the nunber of man hours and the number of computer hours for a big tanker constructed at C.N.C. It is almost certain that this approach, if adopted by the other shipyards present at this meeting, may lead to very fruitful dis cussions.

The purpose of the AUTOKON User Club is to give all the users of the AUTOKON system a forum where they could discuss common problems, exchange information and present papers on AUTOKON-related subjects. Annual meetings have been held in different places in Europe. This year s meeting was arranged on May 11 and 12 in Bandol, a very nice little French town 80 miles from Marseille, hosted by the yard Chantiers Navals De La Ciotat which presented a perfect arrangement. About 50 participants from 13 yards and SRS were present.

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.

The total design and production of a new product is particularly a problem for large projects, for example special purpose ships and offshore structures, where a close co-operation and control is demanded by owners, classification societies and officials in general. In today's situation, lacking as it is in new orders, the builder is often forced by the terms of the contract to spend only a very short period of time on design activities. Shortening the leadtime for design and work preparation is as very important for the ability of a company to compete. Preferably this shortening of lead- time must not induce extra costs or be at the expense of product quality. Based on our experiences in the use of EDP as well as our plans for further development, we will focus on what has been done and what may still be done to strengthen our competitiveness in this area.