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ISO 14649 standard, commonly recognized as STEP-NC is a data model interface for computer numerical controllers. STEP-NC goes much further that G codes and has a more comprehensive data model that overcomes the lack of process information in ISO 6983 files (G codes programming). The STEP compliant approach brings the possibility to integrate the machine controller to the overall enterprise information network, with the intention of having bi-directional data flow. This will provide the novel capability for upstream feedback of information from the numerical controller to the design and process areas in the process planning and manufacturing. This paper presents the key concepts of the proposed STEP Convertor of the STEP-CNC Mapping System. The objective of the main system is to take a generic STEP file as the input to drive a CNC machine tool. The main system is broken down into two main sub-systems, STEP Convertor and STEP-NC Translator. This paper will focus solely on the information structure and conceptualization of the STEP Convertor.

Globalization and industry 4.0 has changed the norm of the manufacturing process of product life cycle. Manufacturing companies are no longer focuses on selling tangible products but have also started selling manufacturing product related services. Computers and information technologies are deeply entrenched in the modern manufacturing systems, giving rise to Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), Cyber Physical Systems and most recently Cloud Manufacturing. The cloud manufacturing platform proposed in this paper will truly emphasize the concept of design anywhere machine anywhere, where manufacturing and machining data and resources can be shared by anyone regardless of locations and limitations.

This research explored ISO 14649 together with ISO 6983 and utilize STEP-NC in overcoming the problems of G & M code and at the same time take advantage of the current advances in computing and controllers. A new STEP-NC Code Generator called Milling STEP Coder, which focuses on the milling process that are able to generate STEP-NC codes based on ISO 14649 Part 11 was developed. This system also has the capabilities to visualize the STEP-NC codes generated in a parent to child relationship tree-view structure, as well as give an image visualization of how the end machining will appears. The developed Milling STEP Coder uses Software Prototyping Model as its software development methodology, instead of the normal waterfall model, as prototype is a valuable mechanism for gaining better understanding of the system requirements. A small-scale mock up of the system was developed following an iterative modification process. The advantages of the proposed Milling STEP Coder program was verified and evaluated. The Milling STEP Coder can generates STEP-NC codes through a STEP-NC compliant interface and will give industries and academician more in-depth understanding and confidence to make the switch from G & M code to STEP-NC.

The successfulness of a software development project is not only based on the tools and the technology used but also really depends on how the developed software meets the end user requirements. Involving end user as an active member of software development team, one of the popular agile methods known as eXtreme Programming (XP) had been selected as the software development methodology. This paper is focused on one of the main practices called on-site customer. The project under study is a web based Highway Construction Monitoring System (HIGHCONS). Challenges related to its implementation throughout the development process and also the suitable solutions in facing the challenges were also considered.

To realize the STEP-NC based machining system, it is necessary to perform machining feature extraction, generating machine-specific information, and creating a relationship between STEP-NC entities. A process planning system of a STEP-NC information flow that starts with constructing a machining feature from a CAD model will be developed. In this paper, a further in-depth study of the implementation and adaptation of STEP-NC in manufacturing is studied. This study will help to understand how the data from CAD/CAM can be converted into STEP-NC codes and the machining process will be based on the STEP-NC codes generated.

The early NC machines and the current CNC utilise the same standard programming of G&M codes formalised as the ISO 6893 standard to machine parts with complex shape in a precise manner. However, the G&M code contains implicit technical information and does not meet the requirements of modern NC technology as it uses low level codes to describe tool movements and instructions. Literature shows that the current CNC is difficult to manage, modify and verify NC data easily. ISO 14649 referred to as STEP-NC is the result of an international effort to achieve full interoperability and bi-directional information exchange throughout the manufacturing network. STEP-NC has been designed in such a way that information remains in its context and without reducing to primitive instructions such as G&M code. This research will explore ISO 6983 (G&M code) together with ISO 14649 (STEP-NC) and utilise STEP-NC in overcoming the problems of G&M code and at the same time take advantage of current advances in computing and controllers. A new STEP-NC code generator (GEN-MILL) which focuses on the milling process that is able to generate STEP-NC codes based on Example 1 in ISO 14649 Part 11 was developed. The advantages of the proposed STEP-NC code generator (GEN-MILL) program was verified and evaluated by comparing the output generated by the software with ISO 14649 Physical File for Example 1. The STEP-NC code generator (GEN-MILL) can understand and generate STEP-NC codes through a STEP-NC compliant interface and will give industries and academicians more in-depth understanding and confidence to switch from G&M code to STEP-NC.

The advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) has changed the structure and functions of various sectors and it has also started to play a significant role in modern manufacturing in terms of computerized machining and cloud manufacturing. It is important for industries to keep up with the current trend of ICT for them to be able survive and be competitive. Cloud manufacturing is an approach that wanted to realize a real-world manufacturing processes that will apply the basic concept from the field of Cloud computing to the manufacturing domain called Cloud-based manufacturing (CBM) or cloud manufacturing (CM). Cloud manufacturing has been recognized as a new paradigm for manufacturing businesses. In cloud manufacturing, manufacturing companies need to support flexible and scalable business processes in the shop floor as well as the software itself. This paper provides an insight or overview on the implementation of cloud manufacturing in the modern manufacturing processes and at the same times analyses the requirements needed regarding process enactment for Cloud manufacturing and at the same time proposing a STEP-NC concept that can function as a tool to support the cloud manufacturing concept.