A STEP-compliant system for turning operations

Several CAPP and CAM systems related to STEP-NC compliance are being implemented or commercialized around the world but the focus on turning operations has been limited in the second respect. This paper describes and illustrates a STEP compliant CAD/CAPP/CAM System for the manufacture of rotational parts on CNC turning centers. The information models to support the proposed system together with the data models defined in the ISO14649 standard used to create the NC programs are also described. A structured view of a STEP compliant CAD/CAPP/CAM system framework supporting the next generation of intelligent CNC controllers for turn/mill component manufacture is provided. Finally the authors proposed system is outlined by the modeling of a turn/mill workstation and through the use of user interface dialogs that depict the information held in the models. A case study component has been developed to prove the concept for using the milling and turning parts of ISO14649 to provide a turn-mill CAD/CAPP/CAM environment.