Striving for a total integration of CAD, CAPP, CAM and CNC

Over the last 50 years, conventional programming of the numerical controlled (NC) machine tools has been based on a data model stipulated by ISO 6983, or otherwise known as G-codes. It was designed to sequentially pass instructions to the controls of machine tools with little, if any, intelligence. It has been realized that this standard has led to serious impediments for the fulfilment of total CAD/CAM integration. The forthcoming ISO 14649 defines a new interface for exchange of information between CAD/CAM systems and NC machine tools. ISO 14649 is strictly harmonized with ISO 10303 (STEP), hence the name STEP-NC meaning an extended STEP for numerical control. There has been substantial amount of research being carried out concerning STEP-NC, in particular EU and USA; its benefits and potentials are revealing and appealing. The manufacturing industry may have to embrace itself with a revolutionary change even more dramatic than that of introduction of numerical control about half a century ago. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.