STEP for Shipbuilding: A Solution for Product Model Data Exchange

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. 44-52
Author(s):  
L. Benthall ◽  
T. Briggs ◽  
B. Downie ◽  
B. Gischner ◽  
B. Kassel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Shipbuilding Industry ◽  
Product Models ◽  
Transfer Of Information ◽  
Aided Design ◽  
Step Standard

An international standard (ISO 10303) has been created to facilitate the exchange of product models between diverse computer-aided design (CAD) systems. Informally known as STEP (standard for the exchange of product model data), this specification has been under development since the mid 1980s, and parts of it were approved as international standards beginning in 1994. Efforts to expand STEP to meet the needs of the shipbuilding industry have been in work for many years and are nearing completion. By early 2003, it is expected that four application protocols to facilitate the transfer of information relating to ship structures, piping, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning will have been approved as international standards and become part of the overall STEP standard. This article discusses the successful efforts to expand STEP to meet the needs of the shipbuilding industry, as well as outlining the various implementation and testing projects that have been undertaken to ensure the validity and success of these new standards.

Product Data Exchange to Support Modeling and Simulation

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (03) ◽  
pp. 160-169
Author(s):  
T. Briggs ◽  
B. Gischner ◽  
P. Lazo ◽  
P. Lazo ◽  
A. Royal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Modeling And Simulation ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
Electrical Heating ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Shipbuilding Industry ◽  
Product Data ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Aided Design

Successful and efficient exchange of product model data has been a major challenge in the shipbuilding industry for the past two decades. The Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP) has been developed to enable this capability. Four STEP application protocols (APs) to facilitate the exchange of structural and distributed systems models in shipbuilding were completed in 2003 and were adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) by mid-2004. In August 2003, ISO 10303–216: Ship Moulded Forms (AP216) became the first shipbuilding STEP AP to be published as an international standard. Participants involved in these efforts represent several major US shipyards, the Navy, and their computer-aided design/ engineering (CAD/CAE) vendors. The thrust of shipbuilding data exchange efforts has now shifted from development to implementation. This paper will report on efforts to develop and use translators for this AP to exchange hull form product data in the ship modeling and simulation arena. In addition, process simulation is becoming common in the design of new ships to validate that the design meets the customer's specifications. Current technology requires that the ship be modeled both in the computer-aided design (CAD) environment and then repeated in the simulation workbench. Not only is this effort inefficient, but it is inherently error prone. Through the National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP)-sponsored Integrated Shipbuilding Environment (ISE) projects, we have developed tool sets that use AP227: Plant Spatial Configuration to permit the design to flow smoothly from the CAD workbench to the simulation workbench. This paper summarizes the efforts to develop and use a suite of tools that enables US shipyards to become more productive. It details the specific successes in using AP216 and AP227 for modeling and simulation, as well as efforts to exchange design data electronically between CAD systems. The report also outlines efforts that are underway to use other APs to successfully exchange data describing ship electrical; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC); and controls systems.

scholarly journals Feature-based translation of CAD models with macro-parametric approach: issues of feature mapping, persistent naming, and constraint translation

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 603-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mutahar Safdar ◽  
Tahir Abbas Jauhar ◽  
Youngki Kim ◽  
Hanra Lee ◽  
Chiho Noh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Parametric Approach ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Feature Mapping ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Cad Systems ◽  
Cad System ◽  
Cad Models ◽  
Feature Based ◽  
Aided Design

Abstract Feature-based translation of computer-aided design (CAD) models allows designers to preserve the modeling history as a series of modeling operations. Modeling operations or features contain information that is required to modify CAD models to create different variants. Conventional formats, including the standard for the exchange of product model data or the initial graphics exchange specification, cannot preserve design intent and only geometric models can be exchanged. As a result, it is not possible to modify these models after their exchange. Macro-parametric approach (MPA) is a method for exchanging feature-based CAD models among heterogeneous CAD systems. TransCAD, a CAD system for inter-CAD translation, is based on this approach. Translators based on MPA were implemented and tested for exchange between two commercial CAD systems. The issues found during the test rallies are reported and analyzed in this work. MPA can be further extended to remaining features and constraints for exchange between commercial CAD systems.

Evolution of STEP (ESTEP): Exchange of Shipbuilding Product Model Data

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 151-160
Author(s):  
B. Gischner ◽  
B. Kassel ◽  
P. Lazo ◽  
R. Wood ◽  
J. Wyman
Keyword(s):  
Data Model ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Plant Design ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Shipbuilding Industry ◽  
Application Protocols

Evolution of STEP (ESTEP) is a task within the MARITECH-ASE Integrated Shipbuilding Environment (ISE) Project building upon the work of the MariSTEP consortium and the NIDDESC standards development efforts. The purpose of ESTEP is to validate product model standards for the shipbuilding industry, implement product model data translators, and to further the development of Shipbuilding Application Protocols. Three of the major goals of ESTEP are developing a production-quality ship structure data exchange capability, expanding shipbuilding piping implementation efforts, and the exchange of parts and part libraries. Piping applications between the plant design industry and the shipbuilding industry are similar, and the AP used for translation of plant piping data (AP227–Plant Spatial Configuration) is much further along in the ISO process than the ISO Shipbuilding Piping AP (AP217). Both application protocols have been analyzed to determine the feasibility of using the plant AP as the ISE piping data exchange model. Shipbuilding structures will be expanding on the MariSTEP implementation that was based on a subset of the detail design data model. This will include the development of a STEP conformance class, a subset of the data model that covers a particular ship life-cycle phase or business case. Parts and part libraries are a joint effort with the ISE Electronic Commerce (EC) task to define an exchange mechanism. The critical need for such a mechanism was identified early in the MariSTEP exchange effort. ESTEP plans to exchange library part definitions, including geometric, parametric, and nongraphic attribute data. The current status, the achievements, and the future implementation plans of the ISE ESTEP are reviewed in this paper.

Status, Comparison, and Issues of Computer-Aided Design Model Data Exchange Methods Based on Standardized Neutral Files and Web Ontology Language File

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuchu Qin ◽  
Wenlong Lu ◽  
Qunfen Qi ◽  
Xiaojun Liu ◽  
Yanru Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
Cad Model ◽  
Web Ontology Language ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Cad Systems ◽  
Ontology Language ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Aided Design

Exchanging computer-aided design (CAD) model data among heterogeneous CAD systems is indispensable for collaborative product development. Currently, the industry mainly uses the standardized neutral files-based methods to implement such exchange. While at the same time, the application of web ontology language (OWL) file and underlying semantic web technologies in CAD model data exchange is gaining importance and popularity within the academia. The coexistence of different types of methods has generated a series of controversies and questions within the industry and the academia. Yet, can the neutral files-based exchange methods completely implement model data exchange among heterogeneous CAD systems? What challenges have been addressed to date by the developed CAD model data exchange standards? Why OWL has been introduced to CAD model data exchange? Does CAD model data exchange really need OWL? Are there any issues in existing neutral files-based exchange methods and OWL file-based exchange methods need to be addressed in future studies? This paper proposes to conduct a study of the standardized neutral files-based exchange methods and OWL file-based exchange methods. An in-depth analysis of the widely used standard for the exchange of product model data (STEP) method and the newly emerging OWL methods is first provided. Then, the paper makes a detailed comparison between these two types of methods based on this analysis. Finally, some issues in the two types of methods that need to be addressed in the future are discussed.

The NIDDESC Ship Product Model: The STEP Solution

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. 39-50
Author(s):  
Richard H. Lovdahl ◽  
Douglas J. Martin ◽  
Michael A. Polini ◽  
Ron W. Wood ◽  
Michael L. Gerardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Exchange ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Product Model ◽  
International Standard ◽  
Layered Architecture ◽  
Approach Goals ◽  
Step Standard

This paper presents the purpose, approach, goals and progress of the tasks that make up the standard for a digital Ship Product Model. The Navy/Industry Digital Data Exchange Standards Committee (NIDDESC) Standards will be a part of the Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP) International Standard. The STEP standard has a layered architecture in which basic core definitions are used by many industry and product specific standards such as the NIDDESC Standards.

Development of a Welding Protocol for Automated Shipyard Manufacturing Systems

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (01) ◽  
pp. 48-56
Author(s):  
Joel Milano ◽  
Ben Kassel ◽  
Douglas Mauk
Keyword(s):  
Mass Production ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Manufacturing Systems ◽  
Computer Integrated Manufacturing ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Aided Design

Robotic manufacturing systems have provided improvements in productivity and quality in the automotive and semiconductor industries. Shipbuilding, however, is a one-of-a-kind manufacturing process and as such embodies a completely different set of problems than the mass production environment. The planning for robotics applications in shipbuilding must be done for each unique component and, therefore, must be done efficiently to achieve the benefits of automation. This will require a close relationship between computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), and the manufacturing systems used on the waterfront. One of the major efforts to be performed is the integration of these processes through the timely presentation of information. One of the tools that can be used to integrate these processes is the Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP). This paper will identify the relevant components of a STEP applications protocol (AP) for welding which can be applied to shipbuilding and outline the efforts required to bring it into existence.

scholarly journals STEP File Analyzer Software

2017 ◽  
Vol 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Lipman
Keyword(s):  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
3D Visualization ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Smart Manufacturing ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Engineering Software ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
High Level ◽  
Aided Design

The STEP File Analyzer is a software tool that generates a spreadsheet or a set of CSV (comma-separated value) files from a STEP (ISO 10303 –STandard for Exchange of Product model data) Part 21 file. STEP files are used to represent product and manufacturing information (PMI) and for data exchange and interoperability between Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Manufacturing (CAM), Analysis (CAE), and Inspection (CMM) software related to the smart manufacturing digital thread. STEP is also used for the long-term archiving and retrieval of product data. A spreadsheet simplifies inspecting information from the STEP file at an entity and attribute level. Typical STEP file viewers show a 3D visualization of the part or model represented by the STEP file. The viewers usually have a high-level hierarchical display of the information in the STEP file where the user can drill down to individual attributes of parts. However, there is no way to view all of the actual STEP entities and their attributes at once. The STEP File Analyzer provides this capability by creating a spreadsheet from the STEP file. The STEP File Analyzer also generates reports for PMI Representation, PMI Presentation, and Validation Properties based on Recommended Practices defined by the CAx Implementor Forum (CAx-IF) [5]. The objective of the CAx-IF is to advance CAx (mainly Computer-Aided Design and Engineering) software system STEP translator development and to ensure that user requirements for interoperability are satisfied.

NIDDESC-IGES Developments—Today’s Solution

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
Burton Gischner ◽  
Gregory Morea
Keyword(s):  
Department Of Defense ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Current Version ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Shipbuilding Industry ◽  
Product Models ◽  
Engineering Drawings ◽  
Application Protocols

The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) was first developed in 1980. It has evolved with continual improvements to the current Version 5.1 which was published in October 1991 [1]. Although IGES has proved to be a very valuable tool, difficulties have been encountered in using it for sophisticated transfers, such as for product models or complicated drawings. The long range solution to these difficulties is the emergence of the Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP). The Navy/Industry Digital Data Exchange Standards Committee (NIDDESC) has been a leading player in the development of this international standard. However, in the interim, NIDDESC is also spearheading the efforts to enhance the use of IGES by developing application protocols. Two of these application protocols, for 3D Piping and Engineering Drawings, are the first ones to be developed by the IGES/ PDES (Product Data Exchange using STEP) Organization (IPO), and will lead the way to more productive data transfer before the development of STEP. They will be referenced by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) standard for digital data transfer, MIL-D-28000 [2], and should greatly facilitate the occurrence of effective data transfer in these two disciplines. Furthermore, the use of these IGES application protocols is expected to provide significant guidance in the development of application protocols for the emerging STEP standard. This paper focuses on the development of these two application protocols, the involvement of NIDDESC and the shipbuilding industry (as well as the participation of other industry users and vendors), and the significant benefits to be derived from the adoption of these standards.

Development of STEP Ship Model Database and Translators for Data Exchange Between Shipyards

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 111-124
Author(s):  
Jeff Wyman ◽  
Dan Wooley ◽  
Burt Gischner ◽  
Joyce Howell
Keyword(s):  
Data Exchange ◽  
Transfer Mechanism ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Global Marketplace ◽  
Shipbuilding Industry ◽  
International Standard ◽  
Ship Model ◽  
Model Database ◽  
Application Protocols

Effective data exchange of product model data is essential for future competition in the global marketplace. Many efforts have been undertaken in recent years to establish a transfer mechanism for product model data in the Shipbuilding industry. These include the development of the STEP Standard, creation of the NIDDESC Application Protocols, and efforts of the European NEUTRABAS and MARITIME Projects. The ARPA/MARITECH Project for "Development of STEP Ship Product Model Database and Translators for Data Exchange Between Shipyards" provides a unique opportunity to attempt to implement the still developing Standards for Product Model Exchange and to enable their use for data exchange between the major US Shipyards. The project will create and populate a prototype product model database, develop translators for exchange of product model data between Shipyards, and facilitate adoption of the Shipbuilding Application Protocols as part of the emerging International Standard (STEP). These ambitious goals are being undertaken by a consortium of US Shipbuilders, their CAD vendors, and STEP experts. The participants will help develop a product model data exchange capability for the entire Shipbuilding industry, while they enhance their own ability to compete in the global marketplace.

The emerging STEP standard for product-model data exchange

Computer ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Trapp
Keyword(s):  
Data Exchange ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Product Model ◽  
Step Standard
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