INTRODUCTION TO STEP NC
SANJAYDEV
MSME 015
AMS
Data Exchange Standards
In order to transfer the data between different systems, a
neutral file is needed.
Neutral data exchange is needed between CAD and CAM.
Most widely used data exchange formats like IGES, DXF.
Problems with above data exchange
standards
The existing standards will transfer only geometric
information.
Loss of information.
These standards will not support the data throughout the
life cycle of the product.
Current Methodology of Making
Parts on CNC Control
Difficulties with Current NC
Programming (ISO 6983)
Programs are not interchangeable.
Changes are not possible.
No support of complex geometry (e.g. spline) i.e. incapable
of controlling five or more axis milling.
Creates large programs, difficult to handle.
One way : from CAD to shop-floor. No feedback.
The above difficulties can be overcome by the new standard
called
STEP -NC
What is STEP
STEP (Standard for Exchange of Product Data)
Formally known as ISO10303
Improving CAD data exchange.
Replacing IGES, DXF and VDAFS.
More than one million CAD stations use STEP.
All major CAD systems have STEP interfaces.
STEP Application Protocol
Important APs for integration of CAD, CAM and CNC
AP203- Geometry
AP214- Geometry with GD&T
AP224- Manufacturing features
AP240- Process planning
AP238- STEP-NC
STEP NC Controls
STEP NC Defines
STEP-NC is a machine tool control language that extends the
ISO 10303 STEP standards with the machining model in ISO
14649, adding geometric dimension and tolerance data for
inspection, and the STEP Product Data Management (PDM)
model for integration into the wider enterprise.
About STEP NC
The combined result has been standardized as ISO 10303-238
(AP238).
ISO 10303 can represent 3D objects in Computer Aided
Design.
STEP is developed and maintained by the ISO Technical
Committee (TC-184).
Features of STEP NC
It is feature-based and task-oriented.
It supports bi-directional information flow.
Provide an effective link between CAD/CAM and CNC.
High-level description of machining process -instead of
tool movement G01 x y.
Object oriented and structured.
How it works
Working Steps
STEP-NC changes the way that manufacturing is done by
defining data as "working steps": a library of specific
operations that might be performed on a CNC machine tool.
In other words, it breaks down every machining operation
into the steps required to perform the operation. In the past,
CNC machine tools had to be programmed using G and M
codes (from ISO 6983), which were instructions that only
told the machine what moves to make, without any semantic
content that referred to the part being processed. STEP-NC
will make G and M codes obsolete.
Step NC Milestones
2017: Digital Thread and Measurement at DMDII
2016: Digital Thread and Digital Twin at Future of Flight
2014: CAM Data Exchange with STEP-NC on the Digital Thread at IMTS
2012: Machining Accuracy in Stockholm
2010: Setup Compensation in Renton, Networked Machining at NIST
2009: Multiple Machining in Bath, Mold Machining in Renton
2008: Impeller Machining in Hartford
2008: Feed Optimization, HSM, Closed-Loop and Traceability in Sweden
2007: Machining and Measurement in Ibusuki
2007: Published International Standard
2006: International testing in Toulouse
2005: Closed-loop demonstrations, First STEP-NC testing forum
2004: Submitted as Draft Intl. Standard
2003: Multi-axis at JPL
2000: First in USA
1999: Super Model Project Awarded Industrial Review Board
STEP NC Path
Benefits of STEP NC
With STEP-NC, all CAD, CAM and NC data can be stored in a
single database.
Re-shaping of manufacturing is possible with the
implementation of STEP-NC .
STEP-NC will allow CNC systems to become more intelligent.
Thus STEP-NC will emerge as a collaborative agent in the
present era of e-manufacturing.
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