The main focus of the second IRB meeting is to show the newest developments of STEP-NC and discuss plans for upcoming deliverables. STEP Tools will use its STEP Repository data management software to build a standards-conforming PDM data set containing all the information required to manufacture the Super Model test part. STEP Repository greatly reduces the complexity involved in managing engineering data using the eXtensible Markup Language (XML). This language allows an IT professional to manipulate the PDM data set without being a STEP expert.
At the kickoff meeting in December 1999, STEP Tools gave a preview of a MS Excel spreadsheet being used to add ISO manufacturing features to STEP geometry. During the May 2000 meeting, STEP Tools will complete the database by adding XML transactions to define manufacturing strategy, path planning and tool selection information. As part of the demonstration, STEP Tools will show two COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) tools creating data similar to that required by ISO 14649. These tools will be the CADKEY mechanical CAD system and the FBMach Process Planning system.
STEP Tools will also hold a workshop on Design and Manufacturing across the Value-add Supply Chain, starting at the top with the multi-billion Fortune 50 companies and moving down to the 80,000 Small & Medium Enterprises (SME's).
Members of the Industrial Review Board (IRB) represent all sectors of the industrial marketplace: Fred Proctor (National Institute of Standards & Technology), King G. Yee (The Boeing Company), Johnny Barnes (IBM Corporation), Paul Horstmann (IBM-NIIIP Project Office), Carla Mapes (IBM Software), Mr. Bob Burleson (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Mr. Harold T. Frisch (NASA/GSFC), Bill Whitecotton (Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems), Jerry Yen and M.K. Simon (General Motors Powertrain), John Turner (GE Fanuc Automation), Dr. K.Y. Wang and Michael Sobolewski (General Electric CR&D), Carol C. Tierney (General Dynamics Land Systems), Tony Haynes (National Center for Manufacturing Sciences), Bob Callahan (RMC Associates), Lou Pavlakos (CIMPlus, Inc.), and Dave Platts (Hurco Machine Tool Products). The board also consists of sub-contractors: Honeywell FM&T (Alan Updike), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Harry Stephanou), Bridgeport Machine Tools (Marv Kreithen) and Liberty Consulting (Tom Rando).
IRB members from the CAD/CAM software industry include Robert Bean and John Ryan (CADKEY Corporation), Manish Patel (Unigraphics Solutions), Bill Gibbs and John Callen (Gibbs & Associates), Gary Hargreaves and Beth Bornick (CNC Software, Inc.) and Bob Giese (Alibre, Inc.).
Manufacturing companies from New York's Hudson Valley also reside on the IRB and include: James Moore (Cambridge Valley Machining, Inc.), Chris Healy (Dutchess Precision Industries), John Falatan (Fala Technologies), Otto Scherrieble (Otto-Tech Machine Company, Inc.), Bob Zentner (Tech Industries), Jim LoDolce (LoDolce Machine Company), Jan de Nijs (Monarch Machine Tool Company) and Ed Biro, Sr (The Design EDGE).