STEP-NC

Abstract: Since the first generation of Numerically Controlled (NC) machine tools was developed in the 1950s, there have been many developments which make today's NC machines completely unrecognizable from their early ancestors. Further developments, however, are now being significantly limited by the current programming language (ISO6983 or RS274D) that has been supporting NC manufacture since day one. Today a new standard, informally known as STEP-NC, is being used as the basis for development of the next generation of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) controller. This new standard is ISO 14649 and ISO 10303 AP 238. This standard gives CAM and CNC vendors the opportunity to integrate the capabilities of CAD/CAM systems with a new breed of intelligent CNC controllers, which have bi-directional communication of information representing standardized geometric and manufacturing data. This paper presents a comprehensive review of STEP-NC developments for a range of CNC processes. These developments include some ma...

Abstract: A STEP-compliant CNC machine tool that demonstrated a G-code free machining scenario is presented. The aim of this research is to showcase the advantages of, and evaluate, STEP-NC—a new NC data model—by implementing it in a legacy CNC system. The work consists of two parts: retrofitting an existing CNC machine and the development of a STEP-compliant NC Converter called STEPcNC. The CompuCam's motion control system is used for retrofitting the machine, which is programmable using its own motion control language—6K Motion Control language and capable of interfacing with other CAPP/CAM programs through languages such as Visual Basic, Visual C++ and Delphi. STEPcNC can understand and process STEP-NC codes, and interface with the CNC controller through a Human Machine Interface. It makes use of STEP-NC information such as “Workplan”, “Workingstep”, machining strategy, machining features and cutting tools that is present in a STEP-NC file. Hence, the system is truly feature-based. The Application Interpreted Model of STEP-NC has been used.

Abstract: In this paper, we present a conceptual framework for designing and implementing an intelligent CNC system. The architecture and functional modules are derived from requirement analysis, and they are designed to have a thinking capability before, during, and after the execution of the manufacturing task, so that the assigned task can be effectively executed while dealing with unexpected changes occurring on the shop floor. Also, the data model for supporting the architecture is addressed based on the STEP-NC data model or ISO 14649. Specifications of databases and the operational scenario together with implementation issues are provided. The framework presented can be used as a paradigm for STEP-compliant CNC.

Abstract: Standard information representation in the manufacturing business has always focused on products with information relating to their design, geometry and required processes. However there is no standardized information model available to represent the manufacturing equipment used to produce such products. This equipment contributes as a significant investment in setting up a CNC manufacturing facility and is considered as a major asset of the business. Thus the authors see a need for an effective model to represent such equipment particularly the most expensive assets namely CNC machining systems. Such a model could represent the machine resource and also its additional auxiliary devices such as workpiece and cutting tool changing mechanisms, bar feeders, pallet/gantry systems and robotic arms. These devices can function with a CNC only when the controller's resource data model can represent their functionality. Currently every machine tool and auxiliary device manufacturer promotes their own resource data models; resulting in a plethora of representation methods which are bespoke and incomplete in terms of representing the entire system's resources. This paper proposes a Unified Manufacturing Resource Model termed UMRM. UMRM not only has the novel capability to provide the information to define the various elements of the CNC machining system, but also has the added capability to provide support for automation of process planning decision making.