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.

THANK YOU