Address deficiencies in the current standards for geometry, topology, and geometric modelling via active efforts within the international organization for standardization (ISO) standards change process

Nvariate, Inc. was awarded a $347,488 cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards federal grant program (CFDA 11.609) to modernize key geometry and topology standards within the International Organization for Standardization's ISO 10303 STEP data exchange standard. Specifically, Nvariate will lead technical work updating ISO 10303-42 to align with current theory, add support for hybrid modeling techniques, and incorporate content from deprecated parts of the standard. They will also develop initial standards to enable ISOgeometric analysis within ISO 10303. By modernizing these foundational modeling standards, the award aims to improve computational engineering design, analysis, manufacturing, and inspection capabilities vital across industries from geotechnical to biomedical. No subawards are associated with the agreement.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to address deficiencies in the current standards for geometry, topology, and geometric modelling via active efforts within the international organization for standardization (ISO) standards change process. ISO 10303, informally referred to as "step" (standard for the exchange of product model data), is an ISO standard for the digital exchange of 3D objects in computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), and computer-aided manufacturing (cam), as well as product manufacturing information (PMI). ISO 10303 is developed and maintained by the ISO technical committee TC184, automation systems, integration, sub-committee SC4, and industrial data. To properly serve the industry, the ISO 10303 standard must balance consistency and robustness with vital modernization.

Activities

This award focuses on geometric and topological activities associated with the ISO 10303 standard. Planned activities include:- lead ISO TC184 / SC4 / WG12 T1 geometry and topology team technical work and perform administrative responsibilities.- modernize ISO 10303-42 geometric and topological representation (part 42): reorganize part 42 and align IT to theory, add support for hybrid modeling, and migrate content of deprecated parts of ISO 10303 into part 42.- develop isogeometric analysis (IGA) support in ISO 10303EXPECTED outcomes: computational engineering design, analysis, manufacturing, and inspection are vital industrial technologies utilized by fields as diverse as geotechnical engineering and biomechanics. The ever-changing and growing state-of-the-art in this field requires updates to standards and codes critical for translating, transmitting, and storing such electronic data in a complete and reliable manner for all such varied users. The work proposed herein allows for essential developments in the industrial standards community that are currently unavailable, such that they will be reflected and accessible in well vetted, codified standards.

Intended beneficiaries

Beneficiaries of this award are standards developers who will benefit from the principal investigator's expertise in the fields of design and engineering, computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE), and computational analysis. Implementers of step will benefit from the high quality of standards specifications they are implementing and testing. Users of CAD software will benefit through increasingly capable communication of information between CAD systems and to downstream manufacturing processes. Small to medium sized manufacturers will benefit from being able to participate in digital supply chain ecosystems. Original equipment manufacturers will benefit from the expanded base of suppliers, more capable digital models, improved product quality. Consumers will benefit from lower-cost products.

Subrecipient activities

There are no subawards associated with this award.