Concurrent Engineering Through Product Data Standards

Published

May 1, 1991

Author(s)

Gary Carver, Howard Bloom

Abstract

Concurrent engineering involves the integration of people, systems, and information into a responsive, efficient system. Integration of computerized systems allows additional benefits: automatic knowledge capture during the development and lifetime management of a product, and automatic exchange of that knowledge among different computer systems. Critical enablers are product data standards and enterprise integration frameworks. A pioneering assault on complex technical challenges is associated with the emerging international STandard for the Exchange of Product model data (STEP). Surpassing in scope previous standards efforts, the goal is to enable a complete, unambiguous, computer-readable definition of physical and functional characteristics of a product throughout its life cycle. U.S. government, industrial, and standards organizations are cooperating in a program, Product Data Exchange using STEP (PDES), to develop and implement STEP in a shared- database environment. PDES will lead to higher, integrated levels of automation based upon information standards and frameworks. U.S. manufacturers will benefit from concurrent engineering without sacrificing strengths and traditions of individuality, initiative, and intellectual property rights. Concurrent engineering, through information technology and standards, represents the power of a new industrial revolution. The role of the NIST National PDES Testbed, technical leadership and testing-based foundation for the development of STEP, are described.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 4573

Report Number

4573

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.4573

Local Download

Keywords

STandard for the Exchange of Product model data (STEP), PDES, product model data, product life cycle

Citation

Carver, G. and Bloom, H. (1991), Concurrent Engineering Through Product Data Standards, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.4573, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=821058 (Accessed April 23, 2024)