STEP Tools Rolls Out ST-Plan v1.0
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Belinda Jones, 860-767-9506
HiTech Marketing LLC
belinda.jones@hitechmarketing.com
First Commercial Software Product Available to Produce STEP-NC Data
Troy, New York - July 21, 2003 -
STEP Tools, Inc. announced today
the introduction of ST-Plan v1.0, a fast, efficient software product
for creating machine independent CNC control files from
STEP (AP-203 or AP-214) data. Based on years of research supported by the
U.S. government, ST-Plan incorporates the best strategies for recognizing manufacturing
features and generating Process Plans. With ST-Plan, manufacturers can rapidly
plan and optimize part programs for a wide range of machines and take advantage
of productivity enhancements using feature and process recognition. STEP Tools
spearheads the development of STEP-NC effort in North America, and is a highly
visible participant in the global STEP community of over 200 independent product
data specialists.
"ST-Plan is the first-to-the-market software package dedicated to STEP-NC,
eManfacturing, and a new level of automation," states Dr. Martin Hardwick, president
and CEO of STEP Tools.
"STEP Tools has successfully demonstrated machine tools driven by full fidelity STEP-NC data.
Our STEP-NC Implementers programs are moving forward progressively, and now with our launch of ST-Plan,
machine shops and CNC programmers can also affordably evaluate and begin the process
of creating and exploring STEP-NC data."
How does ST-Plan Work?
ST-Plan creates machine independent CNC control files via a simple STEP In,
STEP-NC out approach. The program essentially defines tolerances, features, processes,
and tool requirements needed for the machining process. STEP Tools has developed ST-Plan
in conjunction with Honeywell FM&T. ST-Plan offers a variety of benefits such as feature
recognition technology from Honeywell, integrated graphics, advanced database technology,
geometric healing and much more. All of this functionality is captured in an easy-to-use,
no learning curve user interface.
In a nutshell, ST-Plan creates highly intelligent product data and lays the foundation
for "next generation" manufacturing. Feature recognition and the STEP-NC data format
make it possible to expedite the path planning process, and at the same time,
significantly reduce CNC programming time for 3D CAD models. ST-Plan prepares
full fidelity machining data for any CNC machine tool thus eliminating post processors.
The program is ideal for simple parts, and highly effective on complex parts
such as aerospace multi-surface models as shown in a recent demonstration at NIST.
The optimal Process Plan is computed when the required tolerances for the
geometry of the part are known. STEP-NC makes use of the same inspection
quality tolerances as the STEP data standard. ST-Plan lets users also define tolerances
using a module called Feature Based Tolerances. STEP Tools has also demonstrated
how users can rapidly set tolerances using the crib sheet data of a machine shop
at a recent event held at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.
ST-Plan Pricing and Support
An ST-Plan individual purchase plan is only $290 per month including installation support only. ST-Plan
can be downloaded, but will not run without a license key. STEP Tools will also
perform STEP-NC data translations based on per project pricing. Multi-Seat or
multi-month prices are also available. For more information on a customized
STEP-NC implementation program for machine shops in all sizes of companies,
call STEP Tools at 518-687-2848.
Training and technical support plans are also available from STEP Tools.
System Requirements
ST-Plan requires 170mb of hard disc space for installation. The 40mb installer
can be removed once the installation is complete.
Minimum RAM requirement: 256MB. The software package supports
Windows operating systems: Windows 98/NT4.x/2000/XP.
About STEP and STEP-NC Standards
STEP (STandard for Exchange of Product model data) is a comprehensive ISO standard
for CAD design data. STEP-NC, the manufacturing extension of this standard,
annotates the design information with manufacturing data. STEP became a full
ISO standard in 1994, and since then, all of the leading CAD software vendors have
implemented STEP data translation. It is estimated that more than one and a
half million CAD stations now contain STEP data translators. STEP-NC is on its way
to becoming a Draft International Standard in 2004.
About STEP Tools, Inc.
STEP Tools, Inc. is a leading international supplier of professional
STEP software toolsets (based on ISO standards) for application
software developers, design firms and manufacturing companies in
diverse industries. The STEP Tools product line is used by the world's
foremost firms to leverage STEP and STEP-NC technology to facilitate
the sharing of engineering product information. Over one million end
users utilize product data applications built with ST-Developer, the
company's flagship product. The company offers a suite of software
solutions in several languages that integrate with existing tools and
database systems, and also provide cross-platform compatibility and
ease-of-use for streamlined development. The emerging STEP-NC
technology is yielding process improvements including a 35% reduction
in path planning time, a 75% reduction in paper drawings generated for
the shop-floor, and a 50% improvement in machining time for small to
mid-sized job lots. For late-breaking information, contact STEP
Tools, Inc. by calling (518) 687-2848, email: info@steptools.com or visit www.steptools.com.
| 