Simulation and optimization in a multi-process environment using STEP-NC

With STEP-NC object oriented programming standard, the next generation of CNC controllers promises to be more open, intelligent and interoperable. This standard totally integrates CNC into the CAD-CAM-CNC numerical chain and is an opportunity to be a common support for various manufacturing processes. New possibilities are offered at the CNC level to make machine tools more autonomous, to perform intelligent part program generation, to increase the productivity and the adaptability in an intelligent multi-process environment. This paper gives a proposal for multi-process manufacturing using STEP-NC as the optimal data model for process planning, process specificities, and inter-processes simulation spaces.