GB1016038A - Automated designing - Google Patents

Abstract

1,016,038. Mathematical drawing-appliances. BADGER CO. Inc. Sept. 2, 1963 [Sept. 13, 1962], No. 34542/63. Heading B6P. In order to obtain visible information as to the most economical paths to be followed by elongated members joining certain points, such as pipes connecting units in a chemical or fluid handling plant, within the limits of certain desired conditions, information as to the position and dimensions of the units and the position of the points thereof where the pipes are to be connected, together with information as to the desired limitations, is fed into the computer, the output data of which, representing the positions of all the points along the paths of the pipes, is used, immediately or after storage in the computer memory or elsewhere, to operate a drawing mechanism to produce a drawing of the completed unit and pipe assembly as viewed from any desired direction. Firstly, a plot plan, i.e. an original drawing to scale, of the units is made, from which can be made a table giving the X, Y and Z co-ordinates, measured from a selected origin, of the mid-points of each unit, together with the dimensions of each unit and a statement as to which axis its longest dimension lies in. The tabulated data is transposed by the computer into a series of algorithmic members representing the designation and disposition of each unit, together with its maximum and minimum co-ordinates on each of the three axes. Any desired limitations are programmed into the computer, e.g. prohibition of pipes entering certain areas, minimum distance between pipes, pipes to lie parallel to one or more of the axes, number of bends in the pipes to be a minimum, &c. The output data may be magnetically impressed or punched on tape, or in punch-card form, and a typewritten or other tabulated form also produced. The data is utilized to control an X-Y plotting machine to produce drawings showing the pipe system as viewed from any desired direction.