Plate Design, Expansion and Management System
Autoplate performs plate expansion calculations for both developable and non-developable plates. Autoplate helps in the layout and forming of the shell plating. It is based on a modern proprietary expansion algorithm.

Autoplate Key Features:

• Windows® 10 Compatible
• Works with Autoship projects
• Uses the familiar Autoship-style interface
• Add new curves to define plate boundaries
• Point and click to define plates
• Organize plates into hierarchies
• Produces weight, area and centre of gravity reports
• Comprehensive plate viewing facility
• Display of plate metrics
• Checks plates for validity after revisions
• Shell expansion

Plate Expansion/Forming Methods:

• Stretch, shrink or mixed expansion
• Isotropic or unidirectional expansion

DXF Output Options:

• Outline with or without extra stock
  
• Angle and height measurements
• Interior curve, contour and frame locations
  
• Template shapes and locations
• Strain and thickness maps
  
• Pin jig settings

Create in Autoship, Process in Autoplate
Autoplate works directly on hull designs created in Autoship. A typical project file (a.PR3) consisting of surfaces, curves and groups is created in Autoship and then read into Autoplate for plate creation and processing. Plates are created by defining boundaries, which are simply a combination of curves and surface edges. Additional curves can be created in Autoplate as required. As a security feature, Autoplate saves its information to its own file and does not change the.PR3, so the Autoship project is safe from inadvertent alterations.

Familiar interface - Autoplate has many features and abilities similar to Autoship - the most noticeable are the interface, basic operation and many of the tools. This translates to less time to learn the programs and increased productivity.

Analyze and organize - Autoplate aids the design process by providing accurate visual information about the plate. The program presents metrical information, including colored renderings of Gaussian and Mean curvature, scaled maximum deviation from the mean plate plane, backsets, twist and minimum radii of curvature. After expansion, further information on maximum strain value is available to help decide whether the plate has too much curvature and should be split. Plates are assigned to classes arranged in hierarchies. Each class has a stock (material, thickness and maximum dimensions) whose parameters may be edited in the class editor.

Expand your options - Autoplate offers several expansion options including shrink only, stretch only, constant perimeter and minimum strain. Additionally, strain may be isotropic or directional. The plate edge margin is user-definable. Plates may be expanded individually or in groups. DXF output includes: outline with or without margin stock, interior curve, contours (sections, waterlines and buttocks) and frame locations, roll marks, template shapes and locations, strain and thickness maps, pin jig settings and fabrication metrics.

Panels - Autoplate supports grouping of adjacent plates into panels for assembly. Panel DXF export includes detailed pin jig data.

Shell Expansions - Autoplate exports a full hull shell expansion drawing in dxf form with all contours, curves, chines and plate boundaries.

Operating System Requirements: Windows® Vista (business), Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 Professional (32 or 64 bit), .NET Framework 4.5 with a Pentium Processor. Minimum resolution: 1280 x 800 (WXGA). OpenGL: recommended v3.2 or higher, minimum v2.1.

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