Integration of Design and Manufacturing Data Models Using Step

The ISO 10303 (STEP) standard is an international standard that provides a representation and an exchange mechanism for computer-interpretable product information throughout the life cycle of product. STEP has generated much interest from both industrial and academic communities. This paper describes in detail the development of STEP product data models. Firstly, we present the current research works on STEP and, then we describe the STEP product data models and STEP description methods and finally we give examples of using STEP concepts in different mechanical applications.