RAMCAD PLUS: a CALS RAMCAD system

RAMCAD PLUS is a rule-based expert system designed to evaluate the supportability characteristics of new designs. The system operates within a CAD environment and permits individual engineers to evaluate the relative supportability of their drawings. The system makes use of CADAM (computer-aided design and manufacture) drawing files as inputs and provides the designer with information on changes that will improve the supportability of their designs. Operating a CAD environment, RAMCAD PLUS represents a system in that it does not require inputs from anyone except the engineer to operate effectively. The RAMCAD PLUS system functions to increase the supportability designs in two ways: (1) by evaluating the supportability of drawings and suggesting design changes that would make them more supportable, and (2) by providing the engineer with interpretations of historic feedback data.<>