GB1432615A - Truss manufacturing system - Google Patents

Abstract

1432615 Data processing AUTOMATED BUILDING COMPONENTS Inc 11 April 1973 [12 April 1972] 17457/73 Heading G4A A method of producing an engineering drawing of a truss comprises the steps of electrically transmitting job data to a central computer from a remote user station, transmitting from the computer printed computed truss manufacturing data including drawing information and combining the printed data with a blank having a drawing of at least a portion of the truss to provide an engineering drawing. At the central computer there are a plurality of private user files and a plurality of truss data files held in a permanent storage area, at any one time the processing section of the computer holding one file, a primary file, this file then being able to receive data from a tele-typewriter at the user station to add to or modify it and to receive a program called for by the user. After use the primary file may be lost or if it has been modified the user may command that it be saved in permanent storage. The computer stores the principal truss fabrication program. The user file has two major sections, one for cost and efficiency factors and a lumber pricing file. A truss design input form (40<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 16b not shown) has rectangular boxes for the entry of identification information and design information which are filled in prior to transmitting the information to the computer. From this information a computer print-out is derived containing tables which represent the description of the truss design, the cost of the trusses and production information. If a drawing is requested the print-out of Fig. 18 (not shown) is provided which is designed to be used with the over-lay of Fig. 17 (not shown) which the user may hold at the remote station, to produce the information of Fig. 19. The over-lay has reference marks 64, 66 for alignment with asterisks 64, 66 of the computer print-out.