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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 Winter 2002-2003 STEP News</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="#01">STEP-NC (AP-238) Recommended for Promotion to Draft International Standard Status
<li><a href="#02">Dr. Martin Hardwick To Present "STEP-NC and 21st Century Manufacturing" at the National Design Engineering Show 2003 in Chicago, IL
<li><a href="#03">NEW for 2003 - Introduction to STEP and STEP-NC Class - April 14, 2003
<li><a href="#04">6th IRB Meeting Held at JPL in January 2003, STEP-NC Progresses in New Areas
<li><a href="#05">JPL Benchmarking Shows Significant Reduction in Programming Time
<li><a href="#06">Micromachining a Major Target for STEP-NC
<li><a href="#07">Next STEP-NC Demonstration Planned for June 4 and 5, 2003 at NIST Headquarters
<li><a href="#08">Shipbuilding Industry To Reap Benefits of STEP Standards
<li><a href="#09">STEP Tools Speaks at IMS STEP-NC Meeting in Aachen, Germany
<li><a href="#10">Read More about NIST WebCast on STEP-NC Technology
<li><a href="#11">Sign Up for ST- Announce - a technical newsletter for the STEP Community
<li><a href="#12">Visit STEP Tools Online Pressroom for Late-breaking News Releases
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<h5><a name="01">
<font color="#0000cc">STEP-NC (AP-238) Recommended for Promotion to Draft International Standard Status</font>
</a></h5>
<p>The STEP community has been notified that the ISO SC4 Chair and Secretary have recommended the
advancement of STEP-NC (AP-238) to DIS (Draft International Standard) ballot status.
The community expects STEP-NC to become a Draft International Standard in the first half of 2003.</p>
<h5><a name="02"><font color="#0000cc">Dr. Martin Hardwick To Present "STEP-NC and 21st Century Manufacturing"
at the National Design Engineering Show 2003 in Chicago, IL</font></a></h5>
<p>Dr. Hardwick will present a paper on "STEP-NC and 21st Century Manufacturing" at the National Design
Engineering Show, McCormick Place (Chicago, IL), March 3-6, 2003. The presentation will take place on
Wednesday, March 5, from 10:45am - 12:00pm, during the conference entitled "The Role of Feature-based
Analysis and Manufacturing in the Product Realization Process" held in Track 2 - Manufacturing &
Industrial Automation. Dr. Hardwick is a twenty year veteran in the field of product data structures,
data exchange and data integration.</p>
<h5><a name="03"><font color="#0000cc"><u>NEW for 2003</u> - Introduction to STEP and STEP-NC Class - April 14, 2003</font></a></h5>
<p>STEP Tools will offer a new course in 2003 entitled "Introduction to STEP and STEP-NC." The one-day class is
designed for individuals who desire a greater understanding of STEP and STEP-NC. The participants will
learn how the technology is being used in industry. The course will have a special emphasis on STEP-NC, and
will include demonstrations, handouts and technical materials. The class will take place at STEP Tools
headquarters in Troy, NY on April 14, 2003. For further information, click on this web link:
<a href="http://www.steptools.com/training/introstep.html">http://www.steptools.com/training/introstep.html</a></p>
<h5><a name="04"><font color="#0000cc">6th IRB Meeting Held at JPL in January 2003, STEP-NC Progresses in New Areas</font></a></h5>
<p>STEP Tools, Inc. and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) cohosted the 6th Industrial Review Board (IRB)
held on January 29 & 30, 2003 at JPL in Pasadena, CA. The two companies demonstrated the machining of parts
using full fidelity STEP-NC product data as direct input to a multi-axis CNC milling machine. JPL is a participant
in the STEP-NC Phase One Implementers program and is testing the new technology. </p>
<p>AP-203 (STEP) models were rapidly converted into AP-238 (STEP-NC) CNC-independent control data
with tolerances using JPL Crib sheets. A new automated set-up wizard for defining setup and fixtures.
During the demonstration, STEP Tools showed how ST-Plan and ST-Machine can enable the manufacturing
process by managing and automating machining and planning operations. The software used to convert
design data to CNC-independent control data is available for further testing by Phase One Implementers
(POI) and those interested in becoming ST-POI members.</p>
<p>STEP Tools would like to thank Mr. Darrol Houser, group supervisor, and his team in JPL's Prototype,
R&D Machining Group for their contributions and support.</p>
<h5><a name="05"><font color="#0000cc">JPL Benchmarking Shows Significant Reduction in Programming Time</font></a></h5>
<p>STEP-NC benchmarking performed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) produced important results,
which were shown during the IRB Meeting. On the JPL shop floor, machining was performed on a Fadal
5-axis machine tool. A significant reduction in programming time was realized during the benchmarking
process. The old method of manufacturing used an AP-203 file (STEP) and the new method used an AP-238
(STEP-NC) file. Below are the interval measurements comparing the results. The machining time for the
STEP-NC method was slower at this point, but this interval will continue to decline as the IRB team
and STEP Tools continue to compile and optimize STEP-NC control files.<br><br>
<h5>
<table width="75%" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center">
<tr>
<td><b>Manufacturing Tasks</b></td>
<td><b>Old Methodology</b></td>
<td><b>STEP-NC Method</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Programming</td>
<td>105 minutes</td>
<td>12 minutes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Setup</td>
<td>90 minutes</td>
<td>90 minutes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Machining</td>
<td>16.5 minutes</td>
<td>23 minutes</td>
</tr>
</table>
</h5>
<h5><a name="06"><font color="#0000cc">Micromachining a Major Target for STEP-NC</font></a></h5>
<p>While STEP-NC can offer tremendous benefits to many manufacturing disciplines, industry experts
and manufacturers concur that micromachining is clearly an optimum application for this technology.
Automatic machining, smart computing, and simulation based on STEP-NC will greatly support
micromachining, where miniscule features and geometric entities can not monitored visually
by CNC operators during the production process. STEP-NC is expected to forge a new era for
manufacturing in terms of automation, productivity, safety, reliability, and CNC machine
tool usability and interoperability.</p>
<h5><a name="07"><font color="#0000cc">Next STEP-NC Demonstration Planned for June 4 and 5, 2003 at NIST Headquarters</font></a></h5>
<p>The next STEP-NC demonstration will be held at the NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology) meeting at
Gaithersburg, MD, on June 4 and 5, 2003. Using a NIST CNC machine tool, industry representative parts will be machined
and benchmarked in real time. The parts will contain five-axis surfaces and other complex geometry. Updates will be
released in the coming months. For more information, please contact Paula Popson at 518-687-2848, ext. 305.</p>
<h5><a name="08"><font color="#0000cc">Shipbuilding Industry To Reap Benefits of STEP Standards</font></a></h5>
<p>The NSRP (National Shipbuilding Research Program) announced its Harvest project has made tremendous
strides in moving STEP-based shipbuilding data structures toward International Standards status.
Harvest's goal is to complete the Application Protocols (APs) for Ship Structures (AP-218), Ship
Molded Forms (AP-216), and Ship Arrangements (AP-215). In the last quarter of 2002, all three
shipbuilding APs successfully passed their Draft International Standard Ballots, and are expected
to become full International Standards in early 2003. The Harvest project is lead by STEP Tools,
along with partners General Dynamics Electric Boat and Product Data Corporation form the nucleus
development team. </p>
<p>The initiative will enable the shipbuilding industry to "harvest" the extensive development effort
put into these protocols over the last ten years and use them to improve the manufacturing efficiency
of shipyards in the United States. Weaving the benefits of STEP International Standards into the intricate,
multi-faceted process of shipbuilding will result in the production of high performance designs, eliminate
the problem of data incompatibility between software systems, and lower product development costs. The APs
will also deliver new options for collaboration and managing data across the product life cycle.</p>
<p>The NSRP <a href="http://www.nsrp.org/">www.nsrp.org</a> is led by a coalition of eleven U.S. shipyards,
working as a team with government, industry and academia. The organization manages and focuses national
shipbuilding research and development funding on technologies that will reduce the cost of warships
to the U.S. Navy, and establish international competitiveness for the United States. </p>
<h5><a name="09"><font color="#0000cc">STEP Tools Speaks at IMS STEP-NC Meeting in Aachen, Germany</font></a></h5>
<p>STEP Tools participated in the IMS STEP-NC Meeting in Aachen, Germany, held on February 12, 2003.
Dr. Hardwick presented a paper on "STEP-NC Momentum in the USA", and described technical
advancements gained in the past six months. He also discussed activities and the progression of
STEP-NC within the Phase One Implementers groups currently working with STEP Tools. </p>
<h5><a name="10"><font color="#0000cc">Read More about NIST WebCast on STEP-NC Technology</font></a></h5>
<p>The WebCast featuring STEP-NC hosted by the NIST Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) in
the last quarter of 2002 generated a lot of interest and some great questions. You can find the
questions and answers given by visiting STEP Tools' web site at: <a href="http://www.steptools.com/library/stepnc/faq/new_faq.html">
http://www.steptools.com/library/stepnc/faq/new_faq.html</a>
</p>
<h5><a name="11"><font color="#0000cc">Sign Up for ST- Announce - a technical 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="12"><font color="#0000cc">Visit STEP Tools Online Pressroom for Late-breaking News Releases</font></a></h5>
<p>STEP Tools has a comprehensive Pressroom accessible from their Home page. The online 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: October 2002 - January 2003<br>
Total usage: <b>807</b><br>
Successful usage: <b>783 (97%)</b><br>
Errors: <b>24 (2%)</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 and a half million end users utilize product data
applications built with ST-Developer, the company's flagship product.</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>.
If you wish to be removed from the list, please reply to this email with the word
REMOVE in the subject line. 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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