A graphic database for
principally those of cost, time and Interac-
interactive CAD
Ikuo Oyake, Hirotaka Mizuno and Masayuki
Yamagishi (Computer System Division, OK/
Electric Industry Company Ltd, Japan)
This paper concerns a graphic database
which plays a central role in CAD for very
complicated and structured objects such as
mechanical products. A new approach is
proposed here to show how to construct a
database for such geometric information
and how to manipulate it interactively in
the design process. This graphic database
enables the CAD system to be set up as a
well-defined organization, and also greatly
helps to improve the man-machine interface
between the system and the designers.
Ikuo Oyaki graduated from K y o t o Univer-
sity in 1969. Since 1969 he has been
employed by the OKI Electric Industry
Company Ltd, and he is now engaged in
development of the CAD system.
Hirotaka Mizuno graduated from Tohoku
University in 1977 and received the ME
degree from Hokkaido University in 1979.
Since 1979 he has been employed by the
OKI Electric Industry Company Ltd, and
he is now engaged in development of the
CAD system.
Masayuki Yamagishi graduated from Chuo
University in 1979. Since 1979 he has been
employed by the OKI Electric Industry
Company Ltd and he is now engaged in
development of the CAD system.
BUILDING DESIGN:
MODELLING
The use of simplified three-dimensional
computer input devices to encourage
public participation in design
J H Frazer (Ulster Polytechnic, UK),
J M Frazer (A utographics, UK), P A Frazer
(Cestavon, UK)
The emphasis of most CAD is on the bene-
fits to the user of the CAD system rather
than on the possible benefits to the user of
the resulting end products. This paper looks
at some of the problems for any designer
using a CAD system and in particular at the
problems of involving the end user of a pro-
duct directly in the design process.
A simplified 3D computer input device is
described as an aid to the potential use of
CAD techniques by the lay public. The tech-
nique is demonstrated in an experiment
which involves the builders of a self-build
housing association scheme in the design of
their own houses.
MICROBE - a microprocessor based
building layout planning system
R King, A McCartney, G Dixon (institute of
Advanced Studies, Manchester Polytechnic,
ur)
There are a number of limitations associated
with the implementation of computer aided
volume 14 number 2 march 1982
layout planning in a building,design context,
India for advising other leading organizations
tiveness. The system developed attempts to
overcome these problems by using a low
cost microprocessor based graphics device.
It is a 'turnkey' interactive package using a
new heuristic which is faster than compar-
able methods, and embodies several implicit
design constraints, eg contiguous spaces and
controlled shapes.
This paper describes the design and
implementation of a system on a Tektronix
4051 graphics device, and outlines the tech-
niques in dealing with the limitations posed
by the hardware, the planning problem and
designer interaction.
A geometric input and editing system
for architectural design
E A Feibush and D P Greenberg (Cornel/
University, USA)
TOPDRAWER is a CAD program developed
to provide interactive geometric capability
at the design development phase of architec-
tural and interior design. The program pro-
vides the designer with tools for viewing,
creating and editing a database that repre-
sents the 3D geometry of a building. The
program is currently at an experimental
stage.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Computer-aided design at Engineers
India
S Krishnamurti and N gaman (Engineers
India, New Delhi, India)
This paper deals with the CAD applications
activities of Engineers India Ltd, an engin-
eering consultancy organization in Asia
which deals with diverse areas of engineering
disciplines. El management has always
encouraged new concepts in technology to
fulfil its corporate objective. In View of
growing business within and outside the
country, El has prepared a massive plan of
computerization of its key functions to
meet the challenge. The hardware augmenta-
tion plans to achieve this objective are
enumerated in the paper and the results
achieved in the past year are listed. The paper
also highlights the vision of El in extending
this concept to allied areas of its interest. El
approaches this problem with the possibility
of establishing a CAD centre to meet its prime
objectives as well as to cater for other organiza-
tions. The paper is a case study on a project
that is in the process of introduction at El.
S Krishnamurti was born in India, and
graduated in electrical and mechanical
engineering. He has pioneered computeriza-
tion in engineering disciplines especially in
piping, heat exchanger design and pressure
vessel design. At present he is head of the
planning and systems engineering and com-
puter services departments of Engineers
India Ltd~ and is instrumental in introducing
latest concepts such as CAD, DBMS, IGS
and word processing into the working environ-
ment of El. He is also a member of different
professional bodies and is involved in the
committees appointed by the government of
in their computerization efforts.
N Raman was born in India and graduated in
physics, electrical technology and power
systems engineering. He is involved in
software development activities in power
system analysis. He has also executed
numerous system planning assignments for
utilities. He is responsible for application
software development and the introduction
of CAD in engineering design at El. He is
also involved with computer system config-
uration, evaluation and installation aspects
at El. His areas of interest include DBMS in
engineering design and online applications of
computers in process industries.
An interactive program for the
computer-aided design of gearing
systems in multi-spindle drilling heads
P F McGoldrick (Department of Production
Engineering and Production Management,
University of Nottingham, Nottingham
NG7 2RD, UK)
D Bruce (formerly of University of
Nottingham, now of Lucas Aerospace Ltd,
UK)
The design of a spur gear system for a multi-
spindle drilling head is an interesting prob-
lem and one which lends itself to an inter-
active CAD solution. The problem is that a
train of gears must be specified which takes
its motive power from a single electric
motor and finishes driving a number of drill
spindles. These spindles must be located at
the correct positional co-ordinates, since
this position governs the location of the
holes in the pattern being produced, and
equally they should be rotating at the
correct angular velocity so that their
peripheral speed, the cutting speed, is
acceptable and finally they should, wherever
possible, be rotating in the correct direction
commensurate with the use of normal right-
handed spiral twist drills.
The program described in this paper
performs this design task but, unlike
previous attempts, the computer produces a
first solution which is then modified inter-
actively by the designer until an acceptable
and viable solution is achieved. The solution
could have a use in any area where a
similar one-input many-output gear train
problem exists.
Peter F McGoldrick has been a lecturer in
the University of Nottingham, UK, for ten
years. His research interests cover the field
of the design and use of production equip-
ment in general and machine tools in parti-
cular. The inter-relationship between CAD
and CAM is a problem he has enjoyed work-
ing at for some years.
David Bruce undertook the basic work
described in this paper as his final year
honours project at the University of
Nottingham, U K. He is now a production
engineer with Lucas Aerospace Limited.
A CNC flamecutting system
J S Kaliray (GEC Large Machines Ltd,
Rugby, UK)
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