SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1985
STP34234S

The U.S. Army's Computer-Aided Design Center at Edgewood, Maryland

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A computer-aided design (CAD) center located at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, has been automating technical data associated with technical data packages (TDP) for many years. Technical data packages are used by the Government for procuring Department of Defense (DOD) material and weapon systems. The packages consist of all the drawings, specifications, standards, and other technical documentation needed to manufacture or procure the item specified.

The Center has the responsibility for chemical system TDPs from the time the package comes into being until they are phased out of the system. It draws or monitors the preparation of drawings. It prepares or monitors the preparation of specifications and standards. It is the repository for the master copies of the drawings, specifications, and standards for its unique items and is the agency that keeps track of outstanding engineering change proposals, notices of revision, deviations, and waivers under the Configuration Management System. It supplies up-to-date TDPs to procuring agencies so that items can be procured or manufactured.

The Center generates engineering drawings by computer graphics, specifications, standards, and other technical documentation by word processing equipment. The Center keeps track of a TDP and any changes to it by computer memory systems.

The networking of these computer systems to achieve an engineering data base, their ability to make expeditious changes to data, and their rapid response to procurement needs are discussed.

This paper explains DOD standards and regulations for engineering drawing practices, configuration management, specifications, standards, and related documentation are satisfied by the Center.

The versatility of the system and its output operation (e.g., hard copies by high speed plotters, microfilm from a computer output unit, seven and nine track magnetic tape, numerical control tape for machine tools, TDP listings, and actual CAD parameters) is also discussed.

Author Information

Stuetz, JR
U.S. Army Armament Research and Development Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Price: $25.00
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Details
Developed by Committee: E31
Pages: 188–197
DOI: 10.1520/STP34234S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4927-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0422-8