STEP Tools announces ST-NC Program for STEP-NC Implementation

[Martin Hardwick]

This issue contains information about the ST-NC program only. There is no
new news about STEP except the results of the translation service.


-------------------------------------------- 
The ST-NC Program for STEP-NC Implementation

In 1999 we received a $2M award from the NIST ATP program to 
develop STEP-NC technology.

http://www.atp.nist.gov/www/comps/briefs/99014035.htm.

The technology is now ready for customer trials and we have created 
the "ST-NC Program for STEP-NC Implementation" to let users prove the 
business benefits using their manufacturing processes.

The kick-off meeting of this program was held on May 30 and 31st with 
6 companies attending. The next meeting will be held on September 26 
and 27 with about 10 companies expected.

The initial phase of the program will test out milling using 2.5D 
features, then parts with some 3D surfaces, followed by parts made 
from castings and processes that use probing. The program is set to 
run from June 1 of 2002 to June 1 of 2004 with 6 months for each phase 
and there will be follow on programs to test out STEP-NC for turning, 
mill-turning and inspection.

At the end of each phase a STEP-NC capability will be installed at a 
site of each participant.

If you would like to join the program please contact me. Because 
STEP-NC is new technology, the program is geared to large enterprises. 
However, there are free tools that can be used by any enterprise to 
create or test STEP-NC data at www.stepnc.com.


-------------------------------------------- 
ST-Machine milling libraries for CAM systems

We believe the initial phase of STEP-NC deployment will use CAM 
systems to compile STEP-NC data into legacy codes. ST-Machine 
is a set of libraries that can be plugged into a CAM system to 
enable this approach.

The libraries build a manufacturing model in the CAM. In the early 
phases of deployment it should be expected that a user will have to 
fine tune this model before it can be posted. In the latter phases, 
when enterprises have optimized their STEP-NC strategies to create 
best-in-class machining models, very little user input will be 
necessary and the CAM and the libraries will be loaded directly onto 
the CNC to maximize safety and flexibility.

For more information on ST-Machine see the documentation at 
http://www.steptools.com/products/stmachine/
and the on-line demonstrations at
http://www.stepnc.com


------------------------------------------ 
Making STEP-NC (AP-238) data using ST-Plan

ST-Plan is a tool that rapidly creates STEP-NC data (AP-238) from STEP 
data (AP-203 or AP-214). In the long term STEP-NC data will be read 
and written by most CAD and CAM systems. However, in the short term 
there needs to be a reliable source that can be used to test and 
optimize the STEP-NC machining processes. ST-Plan is this source.

There are two versions. An on-line translator at www.stepnc.com reads 
AP-203 or AP-214 and writes AP-238. This is the best method when the 
default features and plans created by ST-Plan are acceptable.

A desktop version is available to members of the ST-NC Program. This 
version lets the user manually identify or re-classify features, 
change the order of a manufacturing plan and set a large number of 
default values.

For more information on ST-Machine see the documentation at
http://www.steptools.com/products/stplan/ 
and the on-line demonstrations at 
http://www.stepnc.com


------------------- 
Translation Service 

100% success rate for 90 files.

Summary: 
Period Covered: Sun Jul 28 04:26:40 2002 -- Sun Aug 4 04:26:40 2002 
Total usage: 90 
Successful usage: 90 (100%) 
Errors: (0%)
Translator total errors success rate 
ACIS to STEP: 10 0 100% 
STEP to ACIS: 7 0 100% 
AP203 Checker: 22 0 100% 
Parasolid to STEP: 31 0 100% 
STEP to Parasolid: 5 0 100% 
======================================= 
All-Time stats 
------------------------------------ 
Summary: 
Period Covered: Wed Dec 31 19:00:00 1969 -- Sun Aug 4 04:27:08 2002 
Total usage: 16916 
Successful usage: 15481 (91%) 
Errors: 1435 (8%)


--------------------------- 
Tools From STEP Tools, Inc. 

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flagship product.

For a complete listing of the available products check out the STEP 
Tools web site at http://www.steptools.com


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