Report on Evaluation of IGES, PDES/STEP and JCALS Relationships, Draft.
Abstract
This report provides an introduction to the two data exchange standards, the Initial Graphic Exchange System (IGES) and the Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP), and recommends the necessary transition strategy for Program Manager Joint Computer-aided Acquisition and Logistic Support (PM JCALS) to achieve a smooth transition and unification of standards for both the short term and long term solutions. A major goal of the Joint CALS Program is the transition from paper-intensive acquisition and logistic processes to a highly integrated computer-intensive mode of operation for the entire life cycle of weapon systems. This undertaking dictates the development and implementation of such enablers as data and process integration, digital data exchange standards, and concurrent engineering. Both IGES and STEP are examples of enabling technologies; they are digital data exchange standards which were established at different times and for different purposes. IGES defines the data required to describe and communicate essential engineering characteristics. It was initially designed as an intermediate format for representing engineering drawings between different Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems. Due to the limited scope and technical deficiencies inherent in the IGES definitions a much broader standard, the Standard for Exchange of Product Data (STEP), was created to replace IGES with a rigorous product data modeling method. The scope of STEP is larger than that of IGES. While the IGES Standard only addresses the data exchange of engineering design data, the STEP Standard will include information on product data from the 'cradle-to-grave' of the product life cycle.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 19, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA313009