[step-manufacturing] Minutes of conference call on July 29

[Martin Hardwick]

Attendees
Martin Hardwick, STEP Tools, USA
David Loffredo, STEP Tools, USA
Fred Proctor, NIST, USA
Mikael Hedlind, KTH, Sweden
David Odendahl, Boeing, USA
Sid Venkatesh, Boeing, USA
Bengt Olsson, Sandvik, Sweden

Apologies for Absence:
Bob Erickson, Pratt & Whitney, USA

We discussed CAM data exchange using STEP and the relative value of 
different approaches such as using it for high level exchange of process 
plans, or low level exchange of tool path and operation data.

An RFP for implementing CAM data exchange using standards will be issued 
shortly.

We discussed tape laying and fiber placement machines. Today these 
machines have few if an data interface standards so every machine comes 
with its own CAM system that must be programmed by the user for every 
part. This 1950's model of manufacturing control is becoming an issue 
because the end users would like to create process plans for these 
machines using their preferred CAD and CAM systems. We agreed to discuss 
this opportunity in further detail on the next teleconference.

A recording of this conference call is on the ftp site.  The next 
conference call will be at the regular times on August 12.

fftp://ftp.steptools.com/private/Undecided/stepmanuf_telecon_20110729.wmv

Martin Hardwick
Team Leader