Title: A web-based STEP-NC-compliant architecture for low cost 3D part manufacturing

Authors: Alberto José Álvares; Miguel Eduardo Gutierrez Paredes; Joao Carlos Espindola Ferreira; Julio Cesar Ticona Benavente

Addresses: Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica e Mecatrônica, Universidade de Brasília, GIAI, CEP 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil ' Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica e Mecatrônica, Universidade de Brasília, GIAI, CEP 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil ' Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, GRIMA/GRUCON, Caixa Postal 476, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil ' Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, GRIMA/GRUCON, Caixa Postal 476, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

Abstract: This paper presents an architecture of a computerised numerical controller (CNC) compliant with the ISO 14649 standard (STEP-NC) through an adapter that converts a program in the STEP-NC format to G-code. This architecture attempts to enable the implementation and dissemination of the STEP-NC standard in any company that performs numerically controlled machining operations. The STEP-NC controller is based on the open source LinuxCNC controller, which is compliant with the ISO 6983 standard (G-code). In order to validate the architecture a machine tool was built, having LinuxCNC on a personal computer. The controller is integrated with the STEP part 21 data model (ISO 10303 standard) using an adapter that reads a STEP-NC file generated by a software that models a 3D part via the internet. The LinuxCNC controller runs the STEP-NC file transparently, and the results are shown through a case study with the manufacture of an example part. [Received 6 June 2015; Revised 23 October 15; Accepted 2 December 2015]

Keywords: STEP-NC; computer numerical control; CNC machining; computer-aided manufacturing; CAM; features; prismatic parts; ISO 14649; 3D components; component manufacturing; internet; 3D modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMR.2016.076975

International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2016 Vol.11 No.1, pp.1 - 27

Received: 01 Jul 2015
Accepted: 02 Dec 2015

Published online: 16 Jun 2016 *

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