Exploring the Application of New Data Standard for CNC Machining

This research work was motivated by industrial requirements of concurrent engineering, standard product data models and an integrated manufacturing environment, which are further reflected in process planning. The work can be elaborated as the information modeling in this area addresses the problem of capturing and representing manufacturing information related to resources and processes. The interaction between the different types of models could provide a description of the products, how they should be manufactured, and what manufacturing resources should be used. This would provide an information platform upon which several different computer-based tools to support the innovation process can be built. The major contribution of this paper is the creation of a computational environment for a STEP-NC compliant system for turning operations namely SCSTO. SCSTO was developed to generate a Part 21 file based on machining features to support the interactive generation of process plans utilizing feature extraction. The system was constructed using a structured methodology for its planning and object-oriented methods for its implementation. A case study component was tested to show that the new approach (STEP-NC) can generate code which is comparable to the currently used G-code with some benefits such as the elimination of the post-processor. Efforts are under way to fulfill the STEP-NC challenge by combining Parts 11 and 12, for turn/mill operations. STEP-NC forms a possible basis to satisfy the latest requirements and demands with respect to a bi-directional CAx process chain for machining. STEP-NC forms a possible basis to satisfy the latest requirements and demands with respect to a bi-directional CAx process chain for machining. It is expected that the recommended future extensions will enhance the usefulness of this paper, and will meet the requirements for global interoperable manufacturing for real-life parts.