Software gets in STEP with CAD data

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 4, 2008

STEPcenter supports a bidirectional process of retrieving CAD data from a PLM system, uploading it to an archival system, and vice versa.

New from ITI TranscenData, the STEPcenter Enterprise Server is a software application that automates the translation, validation and distribution of STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model) data.

"The STEP file format continues to mature, and as a result, our clients see it as a viable option for storing and exchanging 3D CAD data", explains ITI TranscenData President, Don Hemmelgarn.

"We merged the STEP-centric elements of our DEXcentre and Cadiq technologies and developed some additional functionality, such as third-party translator integration, distributed processing, data security, and translation validation".

"The result is a prepackaged solution, built on mature technologies that solve many of the problems associated with STEP data exchange".

STEPcenter is a secure, open, SOA-compliant architecture that offers multiple integration paths, including paths for PLM and archival systems.

"STEPcenter supports a bidirectional process of retrieving CAD data from the PLM system, uploading it to an archival system, and vice versa", cites STEPcenter architect, John Gray.

"The application also supports distributed processing, load balancing, and multiple layers of data security, including the ITAR-compliant components that are important to our aerospace and defence clients".

In addition to natively supporting Catia V4, Catia V5, NX, Pro/Engineer, I-deas NX and Solidworks, STEPcenter can also integrate multiple translation technologies, not just those of ITI.

According to Jamie Flerlage, Regional Director for ITI TranscenData: "Many of our clients are global OEMs that own dozens of translators".

"Some of these translators we developed, others were developed by our competitors or the CAD vendors".

"With the added functionality in STEPcenter, we can integrate almost any CAD translator into the process and invoke multiple translation paths for multiple vendors, all within a single environment".

In addition to translator consolidation and batch-based processing, STEPcenter validates native CAD-to-STEP translations.

This capability is built on ITI's Cadiq validation solution and enhanced specifically for STEP validation.

According to Doug Cheney, Manager, Cadiq Product Development and Interoperability Consulting: "Once the translation completes, STEPcenter will append a complete set of validation properties to the STEP file".

"These native mass properties and 'cloud of points' enable the STEP file to be 'self-validating', since any STEP import translator can use them to validate that the imported CAD model is geometrically equivalent to the native CAD model".

"This is particularly helpful not only in validating the translation from the native system to the STEP format, but also in scenarios where you need to assure that the model can be opened ten, twenty, even fifty years from now".

Since the late 1980s, ITI TranscenData has aided the industry's adoption of STEP.

The company has been involved with the nonprofit STEP consortium, PDES, since its inception in 1988, and is an active member within the ProSTEP iVIP Association.

ITI TranscenData led the first production implementation of STEP, at McDonnell Douglas, beginning with the C-17 programme.

Additionally, the company is a provider of STEP development tools for Dassault Systemes, Siemens PLM, Autodesk, PTC and number of other vendors.

Additional contributions to the STEP community include the development of validation tools for STEP, defining 3D GD and T requirements, definitions, and tools, and the on-going expansion of the Cadiq technology for 3D GD and T validation.

"Our primary lines of business still centre around consultative solutions for 2D/3D multi-CAD environments and PLM integration", concludes Don Hemmelgarn.

"But as the STEP standard gains more momentum, we plan to stay ahead of the curve with niche offerings like STEPcenter".