A roadmap for STEP-NC-enabled interoperable manufacturing

Abstract

STEP-NC is the result of a ten-year international effort to replace the RS274D (ISO 6983) G and M code standard with a modern associative language. The new standard connects CAD design data to CAM process data so that smart applications can understand both the design requirements for a part and the manufacturing solutions developed to make that part. STEP-NC builds on a previous ten-year effort to develop the STEP standard for CAD to CAD and CAD to CAM data exchange, and uses the modern geometric constructs in that standard to specify device independent tool paths, and CAM independent volume removal features. This paper reviews a series of demonstrations carried out to test and validate the STEP-NC standard. These demonstrations were an international collaboration between industry,

Streamlining the additive manufacturing digital spectrum: A systems approach

“…The systems architecture should be supported by mechanisms for interoperability, meaning that generated input and output formats should be accessible between various application systems pertaining to AM design, materials, and process [23]. For example, modeling and simulation tools may require multidisciplinary support including: 1) topological optimization that can provide the optimal geometric structure design [41], 2) finite element analysis (FEA) methods that can predict thermal stresses [42], and 3) discrete event simulation [DES] that can evaluate the AM process before manufacturing the part.…”

“…Recently, to overcome this limitation, research efforts have been initiated using the STEP-NC concept in accordance with ISO TC 184/SC 1 [9,23]. The RS274D (ISO 6983) G and M code standard [24] has been implemented by some AM system vendors as a standardized means to generate machine interpretable information for their AM processes.…”

A real-time surface interpolator methodology for precision CNC machining of swept surfaces

“…The deficiencies of the G-code system, as currently implemented, have been extensively documented [11]. The reliance upon linear (G01) segments and sometimes circular (G02/G03) segments to approximate general curved tool paths results in loss of accuracy, enormous part programs and data rates, acceleration discontinuities, aliasing effects at high feedrates, etc.…”

“…A recent overview of STEP-NC may be found in [11]. A key intent of this standard is to furnish the controller with more information about the part geometry, including the complete solid model if possible.…”

A novel ISO 6983 interpreter for open architecture CNC systems

“…For example, Lee et al 2006developed a prototype system with interpreter that converts STEP part 2l into part 28 format, the system provides data modification facilities and developed on VC++ platform; Kramer et al (2006) introduced a real-time STEP-NC interpreter for FBICS software developed on C++ and ST-developer with rose library environments; Calabrese and Celentano (2007) developed a system developed on C language platform for both highand low-level data models; and Pacheco et al (2012) introduced a prototype system with interpreter for drilling process on JAVA platform. The major projects of STEP-NC are demonstrated in different companies and institutes at different regions of the world; the output of these demonstrations was very satisfactory and proved very beneficial for industries to have belief in STEP-NC as it had answered many of the questions from the manufacturing world (Hardwick et al 2013;Hamilton, Hascoet, and Rauch 2014). Similar approaches were also presented by various scholars for the development of ISO 6983-based open architecture CNC system such as Li and Zhang (2010), T. Wang, Liu, and Wang (2010), Xiao et al Q007), Pabolu and Srinivas (2010), Klanna et al (2013), Ekkachai et al (2009), Ramesh, Poo, and Intelligent (2009), Zhanbtao (2010), da Rocha, Diogne De Silva E Souza, and De Lima Tostes (2010), etc.…”