Product Model Exchange Using STEP

Objective

The objective of PRODEX is to demonstrate the exchange of mechanical design data between heterogeneous systems in the areas of conceptual and detail design, finite element analysis, product visualisation using holographic images, and robotics simulation using virtual reality techniques. The project will include the exchange of solid model geometry with related product information such as material, surface finish, product appearance, kinematic and analysis data.

The objective will be achieved by using the emerging Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP). The project aims to fill out the specifications needed for a Mechanical Design Application Protocol for STEP, and to specify access interfaces which facilitate the close integration of applications in the design to manufacture process.

Work will include:

- implementation of several STEP applications and validation of their interoperability
- extension of the STEP toolkit to cover data structure generation and data access interfaces (both based on the EXPRESS language which forms part of the STEP standard) and also geometry and topology conversion and file handling
- specification of the Mechanical Design Application Protocol and its submission to ISO
- implementation of STEP-based pre- and post-processors for product data exchange
- definition of a standardised STEP data access interface.

Advanced technologies will be used throughout to produce portable software.

Pilot demonstrations are planned based on implementations by CAD and finite element system vendors and also by robot simulation system developers. These implementations will be evaluated in a user environment. The results of the project will be exploited by vendor consortium members to develop STEP pre-and post processors; systems integrator members will use the conversion tools developed to apply the results in other areas.

Programme(s)

• FP3-ESPRIT 3 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of information technologies, 1990-1994

Coordinator

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung eV (FhG)

Address

Schloßstraße 68
70176 Stuttgart
Germany

Participants (13)

CIMIO

United Kingdom

Address

Brunel Science Park Englefield Green
TW20 0LZ Egham

Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques (CETIM)

France

Address

52 Avenue Félix Louat
60304 Senlis

Cisigraph SA

France

Address

536 Route De La Seds
13127 Vitrolles

EPM CONSULTANTS

Norway

Address

Fyrstikkallen, 1
0661 Oslo

Framasoft CSI

France

Address

Tour Fiat 1 Place De La Coupole
92084 Paris La Défense

Gesellschaft für Strukturanalyse mbH

Germany

Address

Pascalstraße 17
52076 Aachen

HEWLETT PACKARD

Germany

Address

Herrenbergerstraße 130
71034 Böblingen

Institutet För Verkstadsteknysk Forskning

Sweden

Address

Argongatan 30
431 53 Mölndal

International Automotive Design (UK) Ltd

United Kingdom

Address

Iad House Dominion Way
BN14 8LU Worthing

Italcad Tecnologie e Sistemi

Italy

Address

Via E. Ravasco 10
16128 Genova

Iveco Fiat SpA

Italy

Address

Via Puglia 35
10156 Torino

LMR Systems

United Kingdom

Address

33 Filgrave
MK16 9ET Newport Pagnell

SENTER FOR INDUSTRIFORSKNING

Norway

Address

Forskningsveien 1, 124
0314 Oslo