Open Standards for Flexible Discrete Manufacturing in the Model-Based Enterprise

Published

September 23, 2020

Author(s)

Mark White, Eric Holterman, Tim Bakker, Larry Maggiano

Abstract

The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing is currently constructing an open, standards-based flexible manufacturing cell. The manufacturing cell must take in a product definition, machine the defined part, inspect it, rework as necessary, and provide a final dimensional report. In support of this effort, we define a flexible architecture based entirely on open standards. In this paper we look at standards which support a model-based engineering approach to conveying product definitions to the manufacturing cell. The STEP AP242, QIF, and JT standards are compared and the various considerations for their use discussed. Finally we define a selected standard to use and the software that will be used in order to implement the chosen standard mix.

Citation

Grant/Contract Reports (NISTGCR) - 20-024

Report Number

20-024

NIST Pub Series

Grant/Contract Reports (NISTGCR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

Flexible manufacturing, JT, MBD, MBE, Model based, PMI, QIF, Standards, STEP

Citation

White, M. , Holterman, E. , Bakker, T. and Maggiano, L. (2020), Open Standards for Flexible Discrete Manufacturing in the Model-Based Enterprise, Grant/Contract Reports (NISTGCR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed October 10, 2025)