A u t o s h i p

S y s t e m s

C o r p o r at i o n

AUTO OSTRUCTURE Catalogue

The easy way to create the internal structure of your ship

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Autostructure
Overview
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Project Manager
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Bulkhead Placement & Global Layout Dialogues

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Main Screen
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Report Manager
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2D Editor
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Copy Panel Configuration Dialogue

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Panel Subdivision Dialogue & Preview

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Autostructure CAD Output

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Material Manager
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Bracket Design & Placement Dialogue

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Features List
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Piping Design
18 _______________________________________________________________________ _________

Penetration Report
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List of Dealers

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Internal Structural Design

Auto ostr tructure re

Overview
Autostructure is used to create a 3D model of a vessel structure and to output the parts of that model in CAD format. The CAD representation can be used either to prepare construction drawings or for input to NC cutting processors. Autostructure utilizes an Autoship-generated hull and/or superstructure and can also include the shell plate information created in Autoplate. (Autoship and Autoplate are programs from Autoship Systems.) Another program in the Autostructure suite, Production ManagerTM, provides nesting, part subdivision, stock management and weld shrinkage compensation. Every aspect of Autostructure was designed to allow parts to be created quickly and with minimal input. While there is a general workflow, no set ways or sequences are forced upon the user, thus enabling maximum productivity with minimum effort. Since parts can be generated rapidly, mistakes can be quickly and easily remedied. Also, if a part is changed or moved, Autostructure can update the surrounding structure for you, saving you time and effort. The tools that Autostructure provides are:
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A part database with a powerful categorization system The ability to rapidly cut parts to the shell and/or each other Specialized dialogues for modelling pillars and deck beam and frame assemblies Sophisticated 2D part editing Comprehensive CAD output Extensive reporting capabilities A user-expandable Material library Library of user-designed brackets

Autostructure is built on top of SQL ServerTM - Microsoft's most powerful database system. As delivered, Autostructure can support up to five users either in a client-server or peer-to-peer network. For more than five users, a full SQL Server system should be purchased separately. Three examples are: i) by actual structure i.e. ring/block/module/subassembly; or ii) by designer: each designer could be assigned his/her own, separate assembly, which could be further subdivided, and would be able access the other designer's work; or iii) by material: for a repair job, the user might want to group individual parts by material type, i.e. material/size/profile/grade. Also, for each project, Autostructure provides the user with the ability to set up a Permissions scheme that controls which operations each designer is allowed to perform.
Autostructure

Autostructure provides several different methods for creating parts. Each one is quick, simple and straightforward. Autostructure also includes special tools that speed up the part-making process, such as the ability to rapidly copy the details (stiffeners, cutouts, openings and markings) from one part to another or to quickly subdivide a large part into the separate plates from which it would be fabricated. Additionally, each time a part is trimmed at the hull or another part, a weld path is automatically created along the trimmed edge. The weld paths can be used to generate weld relief cutouts on other parts and can be included in weight and scheduling reports. Autostructure uses AutoCAD 2000 (or later) for all 2D editing functions. Special tools allow the user to easily attach and edit stiffeners, swiftly generate openings, stiffener cutouts and markings and also to perform boolean operations. Of course, all the usual AutoCAD functionality is available as well. All CAD output is transferred directly into AutoCAD. Three different formats are available: i) a 2D array of selected part outlines with cutouts and markings, i.e. the typical information which would be sent to an NC-cutting processor and/or nesting program; ii) a 2D presentation of parts, such as a cross-section which would be used to prepare construction or classification drawings; and iii) 3D output to use for 3D drawings to show the relationships of parts or crucial construction details, and to be used as input to other programs. Extensive control is provided for output, such as layer creation, size and depth of cross-section and type of stiffener marking. Autostructure can generate several different reports: weights and centres, bill of materials, weld length and extrusion fabrication data. The output is sent to Crystal ReportsTM, which allows the presentation to be completely customized with minimum effort. Optionally, hull plate information created in Autoplate can be added to the Autostructure model and then included in reports. This means, for example, that a centre of gravity report for a sub-assembly can include the weight and centre of the shell plates, thus allowing the user to prepare a proper lifting arrangement for the structure. Autostructure maintains a library of materials that includes material type, plate thickness, extrusions (stiffener profiles), flat bars and finishes (for rendering purposes). As each part the user creates is assigned properties from the library, consistency of material for all parts is guaranteed. The material library is user-expandable and provides for easy input of new material and profiles. There is also a library of user-designed brackets. The ship model appearing in the following pages was created to show how some of the modelling operations performed in Autostructure are carried out. Most pages include an indication of the time spent performing the operation. The total number of parts created and the total time taken to create the model is detailed near the end of the presentation.

Project Manager

Pr P roject M nager Ma

Project ManagerTM is a separate program that is used to manage the project database. As indicated by the large number of tabs, Project Manager allows many aspects of the database to be managed from one convenient application. One of the main functions of Project Manager is to create new Autostructure projects. In this view, we have already selected an Autoship project, had Project Manager set up the database, and are now setting up the Permissions for that project. The next step will be to establish automatic backup schedules. Total time to create a new project: about 5 minutes.

Bulkhead Placement Dialogue

Bulk lkhead Placement Pl 2 2D Editor Ed

The Bulkhead Placement dialogue is used to quickly establish the locations of transverse watertight bulkheads. To provide guidance for bulkhead placement, the dialogue can also calculate and display floodable length curves and 1:1 lines. In this view, we have positioned our bulkheads by clicking the Create Bulkhead button and then at the frame locations (the vertical dashed lines). We can compare the 1:1 lines with the Floodable length curve and reposition the bulkhead accordingly. When a satisfactory layout has been achieved, we'll click Make Parts to have the program cut each bulkhead to the hull, complete with data on bevel angles. We'll also use this information to help produce our General Arrangement drawing. Total time: about 5 minutes, plus the floodable length curve calculation time, which varies with the hull form.

Global Layout Dialogue

Gl G lobal Lay ayout

The Global Layout dialogue was designed to allow rapid generation of large structural parts that lie in one of the three principal planes. In an efficient two-step process, part locations are quickly established by indicating their position on a set of grid lines, and then all the parts are sequentially cut in a single operation. As each part is cut, it is automatically trimmed to the hull and any surrounding previously cut parts. The frame grid is set by the Autoship project, the deck and longitudinal grids are set with the controls at right. A special magnification window (the square overlay) is available to help choose among closely spaced grid lines. In this view, we've set three deck grid lines and two longitudinal grid lines and have laid out the positions of a several longitudinal bulkheads and double bottoms - they appear in red - and are just about to position a tank top. The orange lines are the bulkheads we created in the previous step, the Bulkhead Placement dialogue. Next, we'll click Make Parts to have the parts cut. Total time about 10 minutes.

Main Screen

Main M i Scr creen

The main screen features an OpenGL viewer for graphical representation of the model and a Browser for navigating the assembly and part hierarchy. Either or both may be displayed in several different configurations. The Viewer provides many separate tools for zoom, pan, view, rotate, lighting, cut-away and fog (the further a part is from the viewpoint, the more it is obscured) making it easy to see the structure as you want. The user has complete control over how the hierarchy is arranged, thus allowing for a meaningful and job-specific system to be set up. Autostructure's main tools are always within easy reach along the top in the menu bar and tool bar. In this view, the Viewer is at its default position at right, and the Browser is on the left. In the Browser, we've selected all the parts created thus far by clicking on the upper-most assembly, Main. In the Viewer, we have rotated the model to look down from above, starboard side in the forefront.

Report Manager

Rep e ort r M nager Ma

Autostructure features a separate program, Report ManagerTM, for generating reports. Several report types, such as Weights and Centres, Bill Of Materials and Weld Lengths are available. The report format may be customized using Crystal Reports. The Report Manager uses the same Browser as Autostructure in order to allow easy selection of the parts to be included in the report. Reports may be printed directly and/or saved to disk. In this view, we're looking at the last page of a weight summary for the entire structure we've created so far.

2D Editor

2D 2 Editor Ed

The 2D Editor is used for adding details such as cutouts, openings, stiffeners and markings to flat parts. We've made part editing easy by incorporating AutoCAD and adding some special tools for working on Autostructure parts. Autostructure maintains a user-expandable library of material and extrusions, thus ensuring consistency of material and type for all parts. In this view, we've brought a transverse frame into the 2D editor and then attached horizontal stiffeners, created lightening holes between the stiffeners and added flat bars to the edges of the openings. Total time for this frame about 10 minutes.

Copy Panel Configuration Dialogue

Cop opy Pa P nel Confi figura r ti tion

To save time when making parts, we've created the Copy Panel Configuration dialogue. This alows you to copy the details (openings, stiffeners, cutouts and markings) from one flat part to similar flat parts. The settings at the right provide easy control over which details to copy. In this view, we're copying the five openings, the five face bars and the four stiffeners from part Tr FRM Fr 69 to part Tr FRM Fr 70. Time to copy these details to ~40 other frames, about 6 minutes.

Copy Panel Configuration Example

Cop opy Pa P nel Confi figura r ti tion

This view shows one of the central blocks that has been considerably detailed. There are 89 Flat plates, 881 Extrusions, 1008 Flat Bars and 2135 welds. Total operator time to make these transverse frames, floors, shell stiffeners, double bottom stiffeners and bulkhead stiffeners was about four hours.

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Panel Subdivision Dialogue

Panel P Subdi divisio i n

The Panel Subdivision dialogue is used to cut a large part into the separate plates from which it will be constructed. Controls which set the plate size, pattern and origin allow for fast subdivision of the part. Additionally, parts can be re-submitted to be subdivided again.

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Subdivision Preview

Subdi divisio i n Previ Pr view

The Subdivision Preview shows the resulting layout of plates and lets you change the thickness of any of them. Each plate becomes a new, separate part, and the program also creates the welds between the plates. Subdivision may also be made along curves which you create in an AutoCAD editing session. Time to subdivide one part, about 2 minutes.

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Autostructure CAD Output

CAD C Outp t ut

All Autostructure CAD output can be exported directly to AutoCAD as drawings. Three different formats, each having many options, are available and enable you to easily produce drawings to your own standards. Drawings exist as 1:1 scale in Model Space, allowing you to work easily with the parts. In this view, we've exported two parts for NC-cutting preparation. As the text, outlines and markings all exist on different layers, it is a simple task to select the appropriate entities to send to the NC processor.

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Material Manager

Mate M t ri rial M nager Ma

The material manager, which is integrated into Autostructure, is used to create new materials, plate types, extrusions, flat bars and finishes (finishes are used for rendering). Autostructure is delivered with most common materials, plate thickness and stiffener and flat bar shapes already included in the library. Having one common library ensures that the material type, plate thickness and stiffener profiles used throughout the project will be consistent.

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Bracket Design Dialogue

Bra r ck cket Des e ig ign

The Bracket Design dialogue provides an easy approach to designing even quite complex brackets, with or without edge and face stiffeners. The resulting designs are stored in the bracket library.

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Bracket Placement Dialogue

Bra r ck cket Placement Pl

In the Bracket Placement dialogue you select a connection case (lower left) and the program performs a search for locations where brackets should be placed. You then move through the list of potential connection locations, select templates appropriate to each and apply them. The templates are loaded from the bracket library.

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Key Feature r s
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A tree-view/list-view browser provides a user interface to the database. Bulkhead layout with or without internally calculated floodable lengths curves. A global layout module in which sheet parts parallel to the principle planes are created, with automatic trimming to adjacent parts. Parametric design of transverse deck beam and frame, complete with edge stiffeners and brackets, in one operation. Flat parts can be edited. This is done by using AutoCAD, accessed from within Autostructure. Parts geometry is transferred programmatically to and from AutoCAD. A custom toolbar provides access to functions specialized to part editing. Extrusions can have parametrically specified end shapes. Pillar creation dialogue. Bracket library and bracket designer. Standard and custom brackets. Other side parts can be created by reflecting existing parts across the centre line. Interference with flat parts and extrusions can be detected and displayed in dialogues. The user may then choose corrective action. Details, including openings, marks and stiffeners, can be easily copied from one part to other similar parts and their mirrors by a mouse click. Part properties editor providing detection of part invalidations. Autoplate projects can be incorporated into the Autostructure database. Inverse bending curves for extrusions running along a curved path.

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Importation of penetration reports from Bentley Systems' AutoPLANT piping design program, display of the data and production of a report of Autostructure user actions. Flexible scheduled backup of database. 3-tier database system based on SQL Server A viewer based on OpenGL provides visualization. Part creation dialogue for single or multiple parts in any plane, trimmed to selected parts. A parametric web frame design option is provided in the global layout module. When cut to a shell, the bevel angle at which each boundary segment meets the shell is retained and can be exported. Within the editor face stiffeners and edge stiffeners can be created and located. Dialogue for creating multiple stiffeners on panels. New materials, sheet types, extrusions, flat bars and finishes can be created. Extrusion cross section editing is supported. Automatic search for bracket locations and semi-automatic bracket placement Stiffeners can be created along curves embedded in the shell surfaces. Welds are automatically generated where parts are cut to the shell and other parts, and along extrusion paths. Large parts can be subdivided to the size of available stock. Marks and stiffener information are copied to each new part. The division can be along user-edited marks or on a grid. Regeneration of invalidated parts. Parts may be exported directly into AutoCAD for drawing preparation, nesting and NC cutting, or other purposes. Three export types are supported: 2d parts, 2d assembly and 3d. The separate Report Manager program provides four report types. New report types are easily added. Archiving of complete projects for exchange and long-term storage.
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Piping Design
ASC has an agreement with Bentley Systems Incorporated to support the use of their AutoPLANT piping design system in connection with Autostructure models. Both companies have done software development to support this connection, resulting in a semi-automatic data exchange between the two programs. As presently implemented, the system conforms to what we expect to be common shipyard practice: piping designers do not make changes to structure, they request changes which are then reviewed and acted upon by structural designers.

The Design Cycle

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A structural design is produced in Autostructure. All or part of the model is exported to AutoCAD as 3d objects. Each part carries xref data including its name and ID. The model is saved as a DWG file from AutoCAD. The piping designer loads the DWG file and uses that as an environment for containing piping equipment.
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When the piping designer encounters a need for a pipe to pass through a structural member, he invokes a Rebis menu which brings up a dialogue with a list of sleeve options. The user makes a choice. The user is prompted to select the penetrating pipe. The user is prompted to toggle an end of the pipe. The program draws the new component At the end of the design session the piping designer accesses a menu item to cause a penetration report file to be written.

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The file, with extension .PEN, contains ASCII text, one line for each penetration request. The Autostructure File menu has a command "Import" which has one submenu command "Rebis Penetration File". Selecting this brings up a file open dialogue in which user selects the penetration file. Autostructure brings up a dialogue which displays the penetration requests:

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Rebis Penetration Report

Penetr P trati tion Rep e ort r

The buttons at the bottom left are used to cycle through the list of penetration requests. Data from the current request are displayed in the two top right frames.
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For each request the structural designer selects a response in the form of one of the option buttons in the Action frame. When the choice is made, the user clicks the Execute button. If cutting is selected, the program produces the hole in the Autostructure part. If reinforcing is requested the flat bar dialogue appears, the user makes a selection and the program generates an edge stiffener for the penetration opening. If the choice is Mark and Edit, the program puts a mark on the part and brings up AutoCAD with the part displayed. Whatever choice the user makes appears as text in the comment box. The contents of this box can be edited and augmented as the user sees fit. In the case of request rejection, the user should provide an explanation. When the penetrations have been processed, the operator clicks the Save Responses button; a file open dialogue appears and a second text file is written. This file contains a record of the operator responses.

The decision file is passed back to the piping designer; the AutoPLANT program does not read the file.
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Notes
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Autostructure, Production ManagerTM, Report ManagerTM and Project ManagerTM are are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Autoship Systems Corporation. Autoship slogans and logos are trademarks of Autoship Systems Corporation. Microsoft, Windows and SQLTM Server are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation Crystal ReportsTM is a registered trademark of Crystal Decisions, Inc. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. AutoPLANT Piping is a registered trademark of Bentley Systems, Incorporated

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creating seaworthy software

Autoship Systems Corporation Suite 1451, United Kingdom Building 409 Granville Street Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6C 1T2 Tel: 1.604.254.4171 Fax:1.604.254.5171 sales@autoship.com techsupport@autoship.com www.autoship.com

Authorized Dealers & Agents

Australia & New Zealand Coastdesign Bay of Islands, New Zealand Contact: Alan Walker Scandinavia Coastdesign, Norway A/S Oslo, Norway Contact: Frode Myklebust Tel: (+47) 22-424840 Fax: (+47) 22-424647 Email: frode@coastdesign.no

Why go anywhere else?

France David Henry Architecture Navale Goult, France Contact: David Henry Tel: (+33) 4-90-72-3701 Fax: (+33) 4-90-72-4355 Email: David-HENRY@wanadoo.fr

Spain and Germany Autoship Spain - INABAL Palma de Mallorca, Spain Contact: Gunnar Solheim Tel: (+34) 971-718407 Fax: (+34) 971-716480 Email: autoship@inabal.es

Greece and Cyprus D. Thomas Marine Ltd. Piraeus, Greece Contact: Mr. Dimitrios Thomas Tel: (+30) 210-4618987 Email: dthomas@otenet.gr

United Kingdom, Eire & Poland Autoship Systems (UK) Kilcreggan, Scotland Tel: (+44) 1436-842809 Fax: (+44) 1436-842809 Email: bill.mckinnon@autoship.co.uk

Italy and Egypt Navalia di Stefano Thermes s.a.s Napoly, Italy Contact: Stefano Thermes (+39) 081-247-2305 Fax: Mobile: (+39) 335-621-2187 Email: navalia@synapsis.it

Venezuela CONAVAL, C.A. Maracaibo, Venezuela Tel: (+58) 261-808-4584 Fax: (+58) 261-761-1759 Contact: Luis A. Castillo Email: conaval.marine@cantv.net

Japan Advance Craft Design Hyogo, Japan Contact: Hisashi Matsumoto Tel: (+81) 792-47-2400 Fax: (+81) 792-47-2411 Email: acd@autoship.jp

Vietnam SAMASER Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Contact: Do Binh Duong Tel: (+84) 8-9400073 Fax: (+84) 8-9400230 Email: info@samaser.com

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