The Open Automation and Control Systems Journal

2015, 7 : 1335-1342
Published online 2015 September 14. DOI: 10.2174/1874444301507011335
Publisher ID: TOAUTOCJ-7-1335

STEP Compliant CAD/CAM – Challenges and the Future

Jabran Kayani and Pedro Rico
School of Aerospace Engineering, Kingston University, KT1 1LQ. River House, 53–57 High Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1LQ.

ABSTRACT

The quest to increase productivity and profitability in a highly competitive designing and manufacturing industry has been of paramount importance. Improving quality and reliability has been in the fore front of the research to adopt a paradigm shift from ISO 6983 to STEP and its manufacturing off-shoot STEP-NC (ISO 14649). This paper attempts to describe the difference between the prevalent G-Code standard and the emerging STEP-NC standard. The working and methodology of STEP-NC is described and the research being carried out around the globe is mentioned. Lastly the advantages and disadvantages of adopting the new system are discussed.

Keywords:

CAD, CAM, CNC, STEP-NC, ISO 14649.