Design automation in ship detailing

As part of the Navy's intensive program to introduce new techniques in its ship design and manufacturing process, Arthur D. Little, Inc., is developing under the sponsorship of the Naval Ship Engineering Center, Naval Ship Systems Command, a computerized system for the design detailing of hull structures for naval ships. The system takes its input data from the ship's contract plans, standard design specifications, and parameters; it produces as output working drawings for use in the shipyard, APT part programs for numerically controlled flame cutting machines, and auxiliary information such as center of gravity statements and bills of material and weight. This paper will describe the principal functional capabilities of the system, emphasizing those dealing with program organization and data management.