STEP-NC- and XML-enabled e-manufacturing

STEP-NC is a newly developed international standard (ISO 14649), which extends the STandard for Exchange of Product model data (STEP) geometric data exchange standard into the manufacturing domain by defining a bidirectional interface between Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) systems and Computerised Numerical Control (CNC) controllers. Meanwhile, eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is emerging as the primary translation media for moving information across the internet. Some manufacturing experts are devoted to expressing and transferring the manufacturing information in the XML format. E-manufacturing integrates the manufacturing process with the functional objectives of an enterprise or collaborative enterprises through the internet. Combination of STEP-NC, a kind of standardised manufacturing data model, with XML, which offers facilities for structured data access, will provide quality e-manufacturing by connecting the shop floor with the enterprise-wide information network. The STEP-NC manufacturing information will be available for the web applications, so e-manufacturing becomes feasible.