STEP-NC AP-238 is the result of a ten-year effort to replace the RS274D (ISO 6983) M and G code standard with a modern associative language that connects CAD design data to CAM process data. STEP-NC builds on previous work to develop a neutral data standard for CAD data and uses the modern geometric constructs of that standard to define device-independent tool paths, and CAM-independent volume removal features. This paper describes four key factors, or challenges, that had to be addressed to extend STEP-NC AP-238 functionality beyond that offered by other CNC standards. The four factors are difficulties inherent in all CAD/CAM integration projects and can be summarized as follows: the information complexity of geometry, the volume of attributes defined for manufacturing processes, the difficulties of integrating models that span CAD and CAM, and the requirement for easy implementation. We describe an advanced CNC application that uses these four factors and show how STEP-NC AP-238 enhances CNC machining and measurement.
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September 2007
Technology Review
Challenges and Choices in the Specification and Implementation of the STEP-NC AP-238 Standard
Martin Hardwick,
Martin Hardwick
Department of Computer Science,
RPI
, Troy, NY 12180
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David Loffredo
David Loffredo
STEP Tools, Inc.
, 14 First Street, Troy, NY 12180
Search for other works by this author on:
Martin Hardwick
Department of Computer Science,
RPI
, Troy, NY 12180
David Loffredo
STEP Tools, Inc.
, 14 First Street, Troy, NY 12180J. Comput. Inf. Sci. Eng. Sep 2007, 7(3): 283-291 (9 pages)
Published Online: July 10, 2007
Article history
Received:
August 21, 2006
Revised:
July 10, 2007
Citation
Hardwick, M., and Loffredo, D. (July 10, 2007). "Challenges and Choices in the Specification and Implementation of the STEP-NC AP-238 Standard." ASME. J. Comput. Inf. Sci. Eng. September 2007; 7(3): 283–291. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2768090
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