Step Pdm Schema Based Product Structure Manager For Collaborative Assembly Modeling

Abstract

In this paper a STEP PDM Schema based Product Structure Manager is presented that enables designers to hold virtual meetings via the Internet and allows collaborative viewing, modify product structure and annotate the 3D model. This Product Structure Manager provides a shared platform for the designers. Two specific factors have been incorporated in developing the Product Structure Manager. Firstly heterogeneous application systems are being used by designers and secondly geographically dispersed designers and team members. In this context, STEP standard has accordingly utilized to address the issue of heterogeneous application systems and the Product Structure Manager has been developed as a Web-based module to integrate the designers. A case study has been carried out with this developed architecture for assembly modeling of a launch vehicle system called LHRS. LHRS is a system, which holds the launch vehicle in the launch pad and safeguards the vehicle without toppling due to ground wind and other off nominal lift off conditions.