Internal Structural Design Software
The Autostructure group is a comprehensive yet easy to use set of programs for internal structure design. Autostructure is an integral component of our complete CAD/CAM suite, and includes an interface with piping design software and material management software.

Click to read a client's testimonial on Autostructure

Autostructure Key Features:

• Sensible module setup, defining project management, engineering, reporting and production as being separate functions
  
• Client-server database for part data storage supports simultaneous multiple workstation access to one or several projects
  
• User-defined hierarchical assembly organization of parts
  
• OpenGL viewer
  
• Rapidly cut parts to the shell and/or each other
  
• Floodable lengths for bulkhead placement calculation
  
• Tool to define and mutually trim parts in the three principal planes
  
• User definable libraries of materials and extrusions
  
• One step panel stiffener specification
  
• Tool for parametric deck beam and frame design, from sheet or extrusions
• Pillar creation tool
  
• Part generation by mirroring
  
• Copy openings and stiffeners from one panel to another in one operation
  
• User definable library of bracket shapes
  
• Semi-automatic bracket placement
• Import any surface designed in Autoship to be a part in Autostructure
  
• Sophisticated 2D part editing using AutoCAD^®
  
• Semi-automatic interference detection and subtraction
  
• Automatic regeneration of affected parts after scantling and location changes or changes to the hull shape
  
• Comprehensive CAD output
  
• Extensive reporting capabilities using Crystal Reports^®
• Interface with AutoPLANT^® Piping™ for piping design

Autostructure is used to design the internal structure of the vessel. It consists of four modules: System Manager™, Project Manager™, Autostructure and Report Manager™. The Autostructure project is based upon a hull created in Autoship and can optionally include shell-plating information created in Autoplate. Output consists of drawings, for either construction or cutting, and various reports. Autostructure is built on top of Microsoft^® SQL Server™ database; it uses AutoCAD for editing and drawing output.

Autostructure is intended to follow and augment the design and workflow processes as carried out in the design office and shipyard. Core to the system is a centralized, user-expandable, Material Library which ensures consistency of material, plate size, profile shape and bracket design throughout all projects. Autostructure also offers a user-definable hierarchy system to provide a comprehensive part categorization scheme.

Autostructure works with flat plate parts, extrusions (hull stiffeners and flat plate stiffeners), flat bars, brackets and shell plates. Flat plate parts can be trimmed to the hull envelope or other parts. Details developed on one plate may be copied to other plates. Stiffeners are assigned end treatments such as fitted, straight, sniped or lapped plus backset distance and may be mounted at any angle. Brackets may be selected from a user-expansible library, or created 'on the fly'. If a part is moved or a part's properties are modified, Autostructure can regenerate any affected parts.

System Manager handles master database backup/restore, system level permissions and material database functions.

Project Manager is used to create new projects and carry out simple database operations, such as backup, delete, etc. It can also create an archive of a project - a compressed form of the project - for easy transfer to a different Autostructure system.

Report Manager uses Crystal Reports to create user-customized reports of an Autostructure project, including weights and areas, commercial weights, extrusion fabrication data and weld length.

Another component of the Autostructure system is Production Manager™. This deals with nesting, stock management and other production issues. It is documented separately.

Autostructure relies on the Microsoft SQL Server database system to provide ultra-reliable and fast storage and retrieval of vessel data. In a network setting, SQL Server may be installed on one or several computers and accessed by any workstation on the network to allow multiple users to work simultaneously on a project. The system immediately propagates changes made by one user to all users working on the same project.

Autoship^® Surfaces as Parts
Any surface designed in the Autoship project can be brought into Autostructure as a part. The part can be trimmed and used to trim other parts. If the original surface was extruded or developable the part can be exported and nested in the same way as flat sheet parts.

Autoship^® Groups as Parts
Any group in the Autoship .PR3 file which contains the hull data may be incorporated into an Autostructure project as a part. It will render and contribute to mass and CG calculations. Other parts may be trimmed to it. Autostructure has a direct link with AutoCAD for editing of 2D flat parts and exporting of parts, assemblies and cross-sections in 2D and 3D. It also offers an interface with AutoPLANT, the piping design program by Bentley Systems.

Hardware/Software Requirements:
Autostructure can work as a single seat installation or in a multi-user environment under the Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional.The server components may be installed on Windows Server 2003 or either of the other supported operating systems. Each design workstation must have AutoCAD 2000 or later. Installations of up to 4 seats may use the supplied SQL Server™ version; larger systems should be equipped with the full SQL Server. Workstation minimum hardware requirements are: fast Pentium CPU with 256MB of RAM, 300MB free disk space, 8MB graphics card and at least 1024 X 768 screen resolution.

Pricing - For product pricing please contact your Autoship System's Dealer or email sales@autoship.com to request a quote.

Microsoft®, Windows®, Windows NT®, MS Excel® and MS SQL Server are either registered or unregistered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation,
Crystal Reports® is a registered trademark of Crystal Decisions, Inc.
AutoCAD® is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
AutoPLANT® is a registered trademark of Bentley Systems, Incorporated.