A product data exchange integration structure using PDES/STEP for automated manufacturing applications

Abstract This article describes an integration structure of product data exchange with PDES/STEP using an object-oriented approach for automated manufacturing applications. A data carrier is provided for the data operational process in the integration structure. In the data carrier, these data are derived from previous operations and the CAD data are translated into a neutral file that is based on the EXPRESS language representation and PDES/STEP data definition. As an international standard of product data exchange, PDES/STEP is intended to provide information for all engineering applications without considering hardware, software, or processes. This application of the integrated structure with a neutral file is explained by an example on an HP/UNIX X Window system using object-oriented programming, CLIPS inference software, and I-DEAS software.