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<img src="http://www.steptools.com/images/keeping_up_with_step.gif" width="430" height="47" alt="name"><br>
<b>The Premier STEP Quarterly Newsletter
Published by STEP Tools, Inc.</b>
</div>
<hr>
<p><b>Summary of Fall 2002 STEP News </b>
<ul>
<li><a href="#01">Dr. Martin Hardwick Participates in STEP-NC/OMAC Meeting at IMTS 2002
<li><a href="#02">U. S. House of Representatives Approves Measure to Help Improve Manufacturing Process
<li><a href="#03">European AutoMakers Show Strong Move Toward STEP-NC
<li><a href="#04">STEP Tools Conducts STEP-XML Workshop in Troy, NY for ISO-STEP Community
<li><a href="#05">ST-NC Pilot Programs for STEP-NC Implementation Continues
<li><a href="#06">STEP Tools Joins CATIA V5 Developers Program
<li><a href="#07">Users Can Explore ST-Machine Milling Libraries for CAM systems
<li><a href="#08">Discover How to Make STEP-NC (AP-238) Data using ST-Plan
<li><a href="#09">Sign Up for ST- Announce - a technical newsletter for the STEP Community
<li><a href="#10">Visit STEP Tools Online Pressroom for Late-breaking News Releases
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<h5><a name="01">
<font color="#0000cc">Dr. Martin Hardwick Participates in STEP-NC/OMAC Meeting at IMTS 2002</font>
</a></h5>
<p>Dr. Martin Hardwick, president and CEO, was a guest speaker at the STEP/OMAC Meeting held at the
International Machine Tool Show (IMTS), McCormick Place (Chicago, IL) on September 9, 2002.
The general STEP-NC/OMAC meeting was held to review the plan to collaboratively build a pilot
program that demonstrates machining a part using STEP-NC (AP 238). The project is intended to
generate live metrics that prove the merits and cost savings of the STEP-NC programming language.
Dr. Hardwick is the international team leader of the STEP Manufacturing group and spearheads the
development efforts of the Super Model Project in the United States.</p>
<p>Dr. Hardwick presented "<i>The Latest Developments in STEP-NC</i>" at the conference.
His presentation described how STEP-NC works as a new-to-the-market data input
standard for Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) systems. He also reviewed STEP Tools'
full line of software products that help manufacturers integrate STEP and STEP-NC into CAD
and CAM systems. During several Q&A sessions, he answered technical questions about a wide
range of STEP-NC and manufacturing integration topics.</p>
<p>To download the STEP-NC presentation to OMAC, go to <a href="http://www.steptools.com/library/stepnc/tech_resources/omac.pdf">
www.steptools.com/library/stepnc/tech_resources/omac.pdf</a>.</p>
<h5><a name="02"><font color="#0000cc">U. S. House of Representatives Approves Measure to Help Improve Manufacturing Process</font></a></h5>
<p>A July 2002 press release from Washington D.C. reported that large and small businesses alike would be
able to reduce cost and design cycle times under a bill passed by the House, by a vote of 397 to 22.
The Enterprise Integration Act (H.R. 2733) authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) to work with manufacturing industries to support the development of standards for information exchange
and use these standards to ensure the seamless flow of information up and down the supply chain.</p>
<p>"NIST has a long history of helping manufacturers improve their operations," said Environment,
Technology, and Standards Subcommittee Chairman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), lead cosponsor of the bill.
"This legislation will continue this relationship and will help large and small manufactures alike
reduce costs and make their operations more efficient."</p>
<p>Bill sponsor and Ranking Member of the ETS Subcommittee James Barcia (D-MI) said, "The Enterprise
Integration Act of 2002 will lead to dramatically shortened design cycle times and reduce the costs
of manufacturing complex products. Information on design flaws will be instantly transmitted from
repair shops to manufacturers and their supply chains. Companies will be able to exchange information
of all types with their suppliers at the speed of light."</p>
<p>The "digital age" has revolutionized the way businesses interact with each other. When suppliers and
manufacturers electronically integrate their supply chains, production times and design times could be
dramatically slashed. For example, a 1999 study commissioned by NIST estimated potential savings for
General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler of at least $1 billion per year if they were to fully integrate
their supply chains. Similarly dramatic savings are possible in all other industries whose products
depend on many companies working efficiently together.</p>
<p>The bill authorizes $47 million over four years for NIST to work with industries to develop standards
for information exchange and to help small businesses automate their processes.</p>
<p>"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy," said Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY).
"This legislation is exactly what the government should be doing to help businesses become more productive."</p>
<h5><a name="03"><font color="#0000cc">European AutoMakers Make Strong Move Toward STEP-NC</font></a></h5>
<p>The IMS STEP-NC consortium is an international organization dedicated to testing and promoting STEP-NC technology.
Participating regions include Europe, Korea and the USA, which is represented by STEP Tools.
<p>The most significant news from the last IMS meeting in late summer is the strong participation by the
European Automotive industry in progressing STEP-NC into their organizations. Interested parties
can download the presentation that illustrates their vision of machining, inspection and robotic
processes all being driven by STEP-NC data. This community also recognizes that this vision can only
be reached by fully adopting STEP technology, so they have committed to implementing STEP-NC using AP-238.</p>
<p>In the last half of 2002, we will continue to refine the STEP-NC specification working with the four
pilot implementation sites and with the other members of the IMS consortium.</p>
<h5><a name="04"><font color="#0000cc">STEP Tools Conducts STEP-XML Workshop in Troy, NY for ISO-STEP Community</font></a></h5>
<p>On September 12 and 13, 2002, STEP Tools held a STEP-XML Workshop at their headquarters in Troy, NY.
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a language used to represent structured data (it does not define semantics),
and is a subset of SGML (Standard General Markup Language). During the STEP-XML Workshop, members of SC4
(an ISO subcommittee who help define STEP standards) helped determine technical standards for the representation
of STEP data in the XML format. This team will formally present their ideas to the STEP community for consideration
and inclusion in the upcoming second edition of Part 28.</p>
<p>At the Sweden ISO STEP meeting in June 2002, significant progress was reported in the area of mapping STEP to XML.
It was confirmed that the next edition of STEP (Part 28) will include a configuration language to define how STEP
data should be mapped into an XML Schema. STEP Tools has shown important success in the value of a configuration
language while working in conjunction with Electric Boat (Groton, CT). Electric Boat has produced a number of example
XML Schemas for the shipbuilding application protocols (AP-216, AP-218 and AP-227).</p>
<p>STEP Tools has already developed several tools for processing STEP information in the XML format that are
used to read AP-238 data into CAM/CNC systems. ST-XML is an add-on product for ST-Developer, an extensive
compilation of programming tools for writing STEP applications, translators and databases. ST- Repository,
a STEP Database Management product, also includes an updated version of XML with new formats to query
and update a STEP database.</p>
<h5><a name="05"><font color="#0000cc">ST-NC Pilot Programs for STEP-NC Implementation Continues</font></a></h5>
<p>Since 1999, STEP Tools has been developing STEP-NC technology, a program back by a $2M ATP Award from NIST,
a division of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce <a href="http://www.atp.nist.gov/www/comps/briefs/99014035.htm">
(www.atp.nist.gov/www/comps/briefs/99014035.htm)</a>.
The STEP-NC 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.</p>
<p>STEP Tools hosted the kick-off meeting of this program on May 30 and 31, 2002 with six companies attending.
The next meeting was held on September 26 and 27, with participation from approximately ten manufacturers.
Minutes of the meeting will be covered in the next newsletter.</p>
<p>The initial phase of the program will test out milling using 2.5D features, then move on to parts with various
3D surfaces, followed by parts made from castings and processes that use probing. The program is set to run from
June 1, 2002 to June 1, 2004 with 6 months for each phase. Follow-on programs will continue to test STEP-NC for
turning, mill-turning, and inspection. At the end of each phase, a STEP-NC capability will be installed at a
designated site of each participant.</p>
<p><i>Companies who are interested in participating in the program, should contact Dr. Hardwick at <a href="mailto:hardwick@steptools.com">
hardwick@steptools.com</a>.</i> Because STEP-NC is new, the program is geared toward large enterprises.
However, there are free tools that can be used by any size company to create or test STEP-NC data at
<a href="http://www.stepnc.com/strepo/index.html">www.stepnc.com</a>.</p>
<h5><a name="06"><font color="#0000cc">STEP Tools Joins CATIA V5 Developers Program</font></a></h5>
<p>STEP Tools has become a member of the CAA V5 Adopter Program, and has licensed CATIA v5.
In the new program, STEP Tools will be developing CATIA v5 translators for shipbuilding
and STEP-NC in partnership with Dassault Systèmes using our ST-Developer tool kit and
Microsoft C++ dll libraries supplied by Dassault.
</p>
<h5><a name="07"><font color="#0000cc">Users Can Explore ST-Machine Milling Libraries for CAM systems</font></a></h5>
<p>STEP Tools predicts 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
systems. In the infancy phases of deployment, it is expected that a user will have to fine-tune
the model before it can be posted. Very little user input will be necessary in the later phases of
deployment when enterprises have optimized their STEP-NC strategies to create best-in-class
machining models. STEP Tools predicts the CAM system and these libraries will be loaded directly
onto the CNC machine to maximize safety and flexibility.</p>
<p>For more information on ST-Machine see the documentation at <a href="http://www.steptools.com/products/v_tour/stnc/">
www.steptools.com/products/v_tour/stnc/</a>.
Online demonstrations can be found at <a href="http://www.stepnc.com/strepo/index.html">www.stepnc.com</a>.</p>
<h5><a name="08"><font color="#0000cc">Discover How to Make STEP-NC (AP-238) Data Using ST-Plan</font></a></h5>
<p>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.</p>
<p>There are two versions of ST-Plan. 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.</p>
<p>A desktop version is available to members of the ST-NC Pilot Program for STEP-NC Implementation.
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.</p>
<p>For more information on ST-Plan see the documentation at <a href="http://www.steptools.com/products/v_tour/stnc/">
www.steptools.com/products/v_tour/stnc/</a>. Online
demonstrations of ST-Plan can be found at <a href="http://www.stepnc.com/strepo/index.html">www.stepnc.com</a>.</p>
<h5><a name="09"><font color="#0000cc">Sign Up for ST-Announce - A Newsletter for the STEP Community</font></a></h5>
<p>Dr. Martin Hardwick provides the STEP community with updates on late-breaking STEP and STEP Tools News from a technical viewpoint.
Sign up for this free newsletter delivered to your desktop by visiting their home page at <a href="http://www.steptools.com">
www.steptools.com</a>.</p>
<h5><a name="10"><font color="#0000cc">Online Pressroom to Serve the Research Needs of the Media</font></a></h5>
<p>Please note STEP Tools has a comprehensive Pressroom accessible from their Home page.
The online media resource was created to meet the research needs of editors and reporters.
The Pressroom has four easy-to-navigate areas: corporate information, press releases, media coverage,
and an image section that hosts high-resolution graphics. Company location and directions can also be
found at the site. We cordially invite you to visit our new cyber pressroom at <a href="http://www.steptools.com/pressroom/">
www.steptools.com/pressroom</a>.</p>
<h5><font color="#0000cc">FREE Web Translation Service Summary</font></h5>
<p>Summary:<br>
Period Covered: July 1, 2002 - September 30, 2002<br>
Total usage: <b>771</b><br>
Successful usage: <b>767 (98%)</b><br>
Errors: <b>4 (1%)</b><br></p>
<p>The service includes the following translators:<br>
ACIS to STEP<br>
STEP to ACIS<br>
AP203 Checker<br>
CEB XML Writer<br>
OSEB XML Writer<br>
Parasolid to STEP<br>
STEP to Parasolid<br>
<h5><font color="#0000cc">Tools From STEP Tools, Inc.</font></h5>
<p>The STEP Tools product line is used by the world's foremost firms to leverage STEP technology to
facilitate the sharing of engineering product information. Over one million end users utilize product data
applications built with ST-Developer, the company's flagship product. In response to its international popularity,
the ST-Repository is a database for e-Manufacturing developed for the growing number of mid-sized to
large corporations that need to share design and manufacturing information on the Internet.</p>
<p><b>Manufacturing Tools:</b>
<li><a href="http://www.stepnc.com/strepo/index.html">ST-NC</a> is a program designed to deploy STEP-NC inside and outside a large manufacturing enterprise.
Machining centers will be STEP-NC enabled and transformed into intelligent design-to-manufacturing systems
driven by full fidelity 3D design data.</li>
<p><b>Database Tools:</b>
<li><a href="http://www.steptools.com/products/strepo/">ST-Repository</a> - Global teaming database for design and manufacturing
projects with services for Internet Translation, Universal Visualization
and Enterprise Integration.</li>
<p><b>Programming Tools:</b>
<li><a href="http://www.steptools.com/products/stdev/index.html">ST-Developer</a> - programming tools for writing STEP applications,
translators and databases.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.steptools.com/products/stacis/index.html">ST-ACIS Library</a> - programming functions to convert STEP data to
and from ACIS models and SAT files.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.steptools.com/products/stpara/index.html">ST-Parasolid Library</a> - programming functions to convert STEP data to
and from Parasolid models.</li>
<p><b>Desktop Tools:</b>
<li><a href="http://www.steptools.com/products/stacis/index.html">ST-ACIS Translator</a> - desktop tool for translating STEP data to
ACIS and vice versa.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.steptools.com/products/stpara/index.html">ST-Parasolid Translator</a> - desktop tool for translating STEP data to
Parasolid and vice versa.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.steptools.com/products/stviewer/index.html">ST-Viewer</a> - desktop tool to view, analyze and check the
accuracy of STEP databases.</li>
<p><b>Other STEP Tools Services:</b>
<li>ST-Consulting - consulting services ranging from developing data translators for
engineering and business systems, to STEP-NC implementation, to using the latest
information technology to define and implement enterprise databases.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.steptools.com/training/index.html">ST-Training</a> - training courses designed to get manager(s) up to speed on
the business and technical advantages of STEP, and programmer(s) up to speed
on STEP applications and products</li>
<h5><font color="#0000cc">STEP Tools Resellers From Around the World</font></h5>
<p>Resellers for STEP Tools products are available in the following
geographical areas. Please contact us if you would like further
information.</p>
<li>France<br>
Simulog, Sophia Antipolis Cedex
<li>United Kingdom<br>
CADDETC, Leeds</li>
<li>Japan<br>
Open Systems, Inc., Tokyo</li>
<li>Korea<br>
Mani Information Systems, Inc.</li>
<li>Taiwan<br>
Exartech International Corp., Taipei<br>
Axon Technology, Taipei<br>
INTEXS International, Virginia Beach VA<br></li>
<li>Australia<br>
Logistics Pty Ltd., Victoria</li>
<p>
<hr>
<b><u>ST-News Administrative Notes</u></b><br>
Questions or requests can be sent to <a href="mailto:info@steptools.com">info@steptools.com</a>. For editorial questions,
contact Belinda Jones, HiTech Marketing llc, STEP Tools Press Agent at 860-767-9506 (EST)
or via email: <a href="mailto:belinda.jones@hitechmarketing.com">belinda.jones@hitechmarketing.com</a>.
<hr>
<center>
<p class="locationbarlink">
ST-NC, ST-Repository, ST-Plan and ST-Machine are trademarks or
registered trademarks of STEP Tools, Inc.
All other brand and product names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.</p></font>
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