Overview of AP233

STEP's System Engineering Project

AP233 is a STEP-based data exchange standard targeted to support the needs of the systems engineering community, consistent with emerging standards in CAD, structural, electrical, engineering analysis and support domains. The AP233 Project is collaborating with the OMG SE DSIG team that is developing systems engineering extensions to Systems Modeling Language (OMG SysML™) and INCOSE (International Council on Systems Engineering), a systems engineering professional society.

STEP, more formally known as ISO 10303, is an International Standard for the computer-interpretable representation and exchange of product data. The objective is to provide a mechanism that is capable of describing product data throughout the life cycle of a product, independent from any particular system. The nature of this description makes it suitable not only for neutral file exchange, but also as a basis for implementing and sharing product databases and archiving.

AP233 (Application Protocol 233) is the STEP Systems Engineering Project, one of several dozen projects each focusing on specific exchange and integration problems within a given domain. Examples of other STEP projects are:

• AP203 - 3D Designs of Mechanical Piece Parts and Assemblies (MCAD)
• AP209 - Structural Analysis and Related Design (Analysis)
• AP210 - Electronic Assembly, Interconnect, and Packaging Design (ECAD)
• AP212 - Electrotechnical Design and Installation (Cable Harnesses)
• AP238 - Application interpreted model for computer numeric controllers (Machining)

Additional information on the full set of STEP APs and related resources can be found at the following sites:

• SC4 (ISO TC184/SC4 - STEP's governing organization)
• PDES Inc (a STEP industry consortium)
• NIST (National Institute for Standards)
• NASA STEP Website
• OMG SysML