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Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.

Despite the benefits of computer‐aided design (CAD), its uptake by the garment industry in the UK has been somewhat slow. Many reasons have been suggested for this, one of which is the lack of appropriately skilled designers and pattern cutters. Comments on this situation and describes a garment CAD‐training programme set up at De Montfort University, Leicester. This training programme was used as the basis of an attitude assessment. A questionnaire‐based survey was developed to quantify the designers’ opinions of CAD and specifically whether these opinions were influenced by the designer’s age or prior computing experience.

As an application of the computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology in prosthetics, computer aided socket design and computer aided socket manufacturing (CASD/CASM) is becoming an active field in the prosthetics research. In this paper, a CASD/CASM method for prosthetic socket fabrication is described in detail. This is different from other fabrication methods in its novel combination of the CAD/CAM technology with fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology. Prosthetic sockets for volunteer amputees have been designed and fabricated in a FDM machine. In order to test the fabrication result, a final product was used to perform a clinical trial and some results are reported. In addition, the deficiency of the long fabrication time is addressed and some feasible solutions are discussed.

Computer‐aided systems for all four of the conventional divisions of the field of library housekeeping are now operational in libraries. In Great Britain the only activity not yet operational is that of periodicals control, although two libraries have already used a computer to produce lists of periodicals holdings. The aim of this paper is to describe simply how computer‐aided housekeeping systems work, from the point of view of the librarian, and to mention briefly some typical applications of each type of system.

‘Computer aided design’ and ‘Computer aided drafting’ have become part of the jargon of the construction industry of the 1980s. However, building surveyors have been slow to adopt CAD. To a great extent this has been because of two misconceptions: that CAD is inapplicable to existing buildings because they lack repetition. that CAD is inapplicable to buildings because they are not square. Contrary to this widely held view, computer aided drafting can be effective and economically viable for refurbishment and rehabilitation projects. Drawings from refurbishment projects prepared using CAD will be used in this paper to demonstrate some of the advantages of CAD, and to identify those areas of the drawing production process where CAD can lead to increased productivity and other worthwhile benefits.

The key word with respect to computer‐aided manufacturing is “speed”. Almost all new developments in this high‐tech field centre on decreasing production time. First, the importance of an up‐to‐date software program that will cut decision‐making time is shown. Next, DOS extenders for 386 based systems offer increased speed but can be expensive. Finally, the effects of new developments on the labourforce and labour unions are also compared. All of these related topics are clearly enhanced by real‐life examples.

This paper aims to present new work on a topic/which has received very little attention.

Rapid prototyping technology is used to provide access to 3D computer graphics and visualization for people with visual disabilities. Software and techniques for composing DotsPlus(tm) Braille text in a three‐dimensional computer‐aided design (CAD) and rapid prototyping system are presented.

Vision‐limited people and people with cognitive or learning disabilities can benefit from casting the results of scientific computing into physical form using rapid prototyping.

Not much is known about the extent of three‐dimensional spatial cognition in people with the kinds of disabilities who might benefit from this work. The argument for this application of rapid prototyping remains to be tested in a laboratory or classroom environment. The manufacturing principles in a limited test scenario are presented here. Work remains to be done to develop software in order to manufacture polygon mesh models from an arbitrary scientific visualization via rapid prototyping with tactile captions applied.

The CAD modeling and rapid prototyping innovations suggested in this paper will create pedagogical models, which are sufficiently robust to withstand the classroom and will lower the cost of producing and distributing these models.

Rapid prototyping has only been used on three documented occasions in the past to create experimental models of scientific information for the blind. There has been no attempt prior to now to integrate captions with these tactile models. These models have not been in general use for education of persons with visual, cognitive or learning disabilities.

Reports on the computer‐aided design (CAD) upgrade implementation process at PBR Automotive Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia. Views the implementation as successful since many of the desired outcomes have been achieved or surpassed. The key success factors were detailed planning, user involvement and vendor support. These combined to create an atmosphere of excitement in the project and success. Reports on the future plans that include the development of an integrated information system at PBR which will involve customers and suppliers in addition to internal personnel. The CAD system upgrade serves as a launching board for the development of such a system.

Few developments in recent years have had as great an impact on the practice of physical distribution and materials management as the introduction of computers. Many physical distribution activities (e.g., order‐processing, storage and retrieval systems and so forth) have undergone profound changes because of automation. But a distribution system which focuses on only one particular logistical activity is too restrictive to be very useful. Developing a computer‐based model requires a co‐ordinated team effort which calls upon personnel in accounting, data processing, marketing, operations research, production, traffic and other functional specialities. Hence, we will examine the role of computer‐based logistics models in marketing strategies and present some directions for future logistics modelling efforts.

The initial motivation for photoplotting artwork was increasing accuracy requirements. Photoplotting requires translating a design to digital form before creating the artwork. Present CAD and interactive graphics systems are making increased use of this data base to generate a larger percentage of the documentation required to manufacture a PC board. Computer aided manufacturing such as numerically controlled drilling and component insertion is another feature of today's CAD systems. Future systems will not only increase the merger of CAD/CAM, but also address the ordering of components, cost analysis and many other associated functions in the design and manufacturing of PCB's. Every company producing PCB's should be able to evaluate interactive graphics and determine if and when CAD would be cost‐effective.