Integration of rapid product development technologies information models using STEP

Based on the latest development in particular in CAD/CAM, Rapid prototyping, reverse Engineering and Inspection, rapid Product development involves more and more new technologies. The integration of these different systems around common and consistent information models appears now as a main issue to get the best profit from these technologies. The issue of information models to be used in this area has appeared from the beginning and several format such as the STL format were proposed to be able to communicate between these systems. The number of different existing formats, the performance as well the accuracy of these models push today to develop new standard information models and technologies. In that way, STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data) is clearly identified as a main integration technology to be applied in rapid product Development. STEP has already become an international Standard and was adopted by main industrial sectors to build their own integration strategies. The proposed paper present the objectives and specifications of an Integrated Rapid Product Development Environment based on STEP technologies. The main concept and technical contents of STEP are defined, as well as the role and application of STEP in Rapid Product Development.