FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Belinda Jones, 860-767-9506
HiTech Marketing LLC
belinda.jones@hitechmarketing.com


Manufacturers can explore STEP-NC using Mastercam and GibbsCam Plug-ins

Troy, New York - August 11, 2003 - STEP Tools, Inc. announced today the introduction of ST-Machine^TM v1.0, a powerful CAM plug-in software used to generate STEP-NC machine independent CNC control data. Companies who want to begin to explore and utilize STEP-NC data can now do so using ST-Machine and popular CAM systems. ST-Machine currently supports Mastercam (CNC Software, Tolland, CT) and GibbsCAM (Gibbs and Associates, Moorpark, CA). STEP Tools is also working with DP Technology (Camarillo, CA), a CAM software developer, to create an ESPRIT CAM version of ST-Machine. With the launch of both ST-Machine and ST-Plan (a software program that generates STEP-NC data from STEP AP-203 or AP-214 design data), machine shops and CNC programmers can affordably evaluate the new technology. STEP-NC is the most highly anticipated technology to emerge in the manufacturing industry in decades.

"Back in 1999, NIST's Strategic Planning and Economic Assessment office initiated a major study on the imperfect interoperability problems in the automotive sector. The results were startling," stated Dr. Martin Hardwick. "The economic cost due to the lack of interoperability in this industry alone was conservatively estimated to be $1B dollars per year. It was learned that OEMs, suppliers and tooling manufacturers conducted approximately 450,000 data exchanges a year, and as much as 50% of their time was spent with poor data files. And when you put this into perspective…just consider the negative impact interoperability problems have on the U.S. manufacturing industry as a whole.

"No single CAM vendor has more than 15% of the market," continues Hardwick. "When your supply chain has a multitude of CAM systems, it is not hard to make the leap to the loss of productivity and the high cost of ineffective data sharing. Creating and leveraging comprehensive standards for product data is the one way we can eliminate the pervasive problem of inefficient data sharing. STEP and STEP-NC data standards are being developed to spur a real revolution in terms of data compatibility and advanced manufacturing technology. When a manufacturer uses ST-Machine, and the emerging STEP-NC data standard, they leverage an intelligent infrastructure designed specifically to effectively share design data amongst the supply chain, and at the same time, capitalize on the benefits of real-world machining automation."

ST-Machine Opens the Door to CAM Interoperability
ST-Machine is essentially a compiler for STEP-NC data and can be implemented as a plug-in for popular CAM systems with excellent path planning capabilities. A CAM user would read in a STEP file, work in his favorite CAM system, produce toolpath information, and save the information in the STEP-NC data format. ST-Machine then reads and compiles the STEP-NC data into execution instructions for a particular CNC machine. This data can be utilized by any machine tool with the necessary resources (size, speed etc) to make the part. Such flexibility is NOT possible today because each machine must be driven by its own unique codes. Special post processors must be purchased for every machine in a shop. STEP-NC eliminates post processors by giving every machine the same data input language for processing by any CAM system.

A compelling benefit of ST-Machine is its ability to make complex machines easier and safer to use by ordinary operators. ST-Machine is configured so that it reads, checks, and executes STEP-NC data with zero or minimal user input. Most of the operations are to confirm machine set-up. The software program operates "hands-free" after the set-up is confirmed by the user.

Understandably, machine tool operators are uncomfortable checking 3D vector codes. They prefer to use simpler 2D machines even though the machines are slower and require more set-ups. However, using a multi-axis CNC machine tool is far more efficient because most parts can be made in a single set-up. The main usability challenge for multi-axis machines is to find a way for the operator to safely check the compatibility of the 3D codes against the configuration of the machine tool. ST-Machine and STEP-NC deliver sophisticated algorithms on the controller to do extensive, automated safety checking.

Large and small manufacturers can now cost-effectively learn how this progressive technology can empower their machining operations. For more information, visit www.steptools.com/products/stmachine.

ST-Machine Pricing and Support
The ST-Machine individual evaluation purchase plan is only $290 per month including installation support only. ST-Machine 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-Machine 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. Mastercam 9.0 or newer. GibbsCAM 2002 (6.0 or newer) with Solid SurfacerTM option installed

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.