The model of information exchange and sharing for CAD/CAPP using STEP and XML schema

To solve the problem of product data exchange and sharing among heterogeneous systems, the key technologies, including manufacturing information sharing, file conversion from STEP AP203/AP214 to AP224 with the conversion ware of STEP neutral files, are discussed.Using STEP standard as information output of CAD systems, the AP203/AP214 file output from CAD systems is transformed to AP224 file with STEP neutral file, while CAPP systems obtained geometry and manufacturing process information of the parts with AP224 neutral files.By translating the STEP files into corresponding XML neutral files according to the transformation criterions constituted by STEP AP28, XML schema library is setup.Upon this, product data exchange and sharing of manufacturing information can be achieved.