ISO 10303-238-2022 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10303-238:2022 — Industrial automation systems and integration — Product data representation and exchange — Part 238: Application protocol: Model based integrated manufacturing. This part of ISO 10303 (commonly referred to as AP238 or STEP‑NC) defines an application interpreted model for integrating product geometry, manufacturing process information and product data management for model‑based manufacturing and machining workflows.

Abstract

This document specifies an application interpreted model (AIM) based on the application reference model (ARM) for machining (drawing on ISO 14649 parts) and augments it with ISO 10303 product geometry, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and product data management (PDM) information to support model‑based integrated manufacturing. The standard provides EXPRESS schemas (ARM/AIM) and implementation guidance to represent manufacturing operations, tooling, tolerance/inspection data and associated product geometry.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: September 2022 (Edition 3).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 25.040.40 (Industrial process measurement and control).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 — ISO 10303-238:2022.
• Number of pages: 456 pages.

Scope

ISO 10303-238:2022 (AP238) defines an AIM for model‑based integrated manufacturing focused on machining and related process data. It reuses the machining ARM defined in ISO 14649 (multiple parts) and augments it with STEP geometry, GD&T and PDM constructs so that process planning, NC programming, inspection and life‑cycle information can be associated directly with product geometry. The scope includes support for exchanging device‑independent toolpath descriptions, process parameters, tooling, features, inspection references and initial support for additive regions and digital twin capture as part of the manufacturing information exchange. AP238 is designed to interoperate with other STEP application protocols (notably AP242) and the STEP Module and Resource Library.

Key topics and requirements

• Application Interpreted Model (AIM) built from the machining ARM (ISO 14649 parts) combined with STEP geometry and PDM constructs.
• Formal EXPRESS schemas (ARM and AIM) for representing operations, features, tools, toolpaths, stock/fixtures and process parameters.
• Support for geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and associations between tolerances, inspection and manufacturing operations.
• Integration points with AP242 (model‑based 3D engineering) to align design geometry and manufacturing process data.
• Initial support and extensions for additive manufacturing information, digital twin capture and process‑level recommendations (introduced or extended across editions).
• Conformance and implementation guidance for producers/consumers of STEP AP238 data (schemas, sample files and ARM/AIM diagrams provided as part of the edition).

Typical use and users

Primary users include CAD/CAM/PLM vendors, CNC controller and machine tool integrators, OEM process planners (especially in aerospace, automotive and precision engineering), tooling suppliers, systems integrators and researchers working on model‑based manufacturing, digital threads and digital twins. AP238 is used where associative, geometry‑aware exchange of machining and inspection data is required to reduce manual translation, enable automation and close the gap between design and manufacturing.

Related standards

ISO 10303-238 is part of the ISO 10303 (STEP) family. Related documents include ISO 14649 (machining ARM — multiple parts referenced by AP238), ISO 10303-242 (AP242, Managed model‑based 3D engineering / design‑to‑manufacturing integration), the STEP Module and Resource Library (SMRL) releases used for common resource parts, and legacy NC standards such as ISO 6983 (RS274D G‑code) which AP238 aims to supersede in capability for model‑based CNC interaction.

Keywords

ISO 10303, AP238, STEP, STEP‑NC, Model‑based manufacturing, AIM, ARM, machining, ISO 14649, AP242, GD&T, PLM, CAM, CNC, digital twin, additive manufacturing, EXPRESS schema.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10303-238:2022 (AP238, often called STEP‑NC) is an ISO standard that specifies an application interpreted model for model‑based integrated manufacturing — combining machining reference models with STEP geometry, GD&T and PDM to enable richer exchange of manufacturing and process data.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers EXPRESS ARM and AIM definitions, schemas and implementation guidance for machining operations, tooling, toolpaths, process parameters, inspection/tolerance associations and related product data so that manufacturing process planning and NC programs can be linked directly to product geometry. The 2022 edition also aligns AP238 with recent STEP resource libraries and includes initial additive and digital‑twin related content.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: CAD/CAM/PLM software vendors, CNC and machine tool integrators, OEM process planners (notably in aerospace and automotive), tooling and fixture suppliers, and systems integrators implementing model‑based manufacturing workflows. Researchers and standards implementers also use it for interoperability testing and schema development.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10303-238:2022 is the third edition (published September 2022) and is the current published edition; work on a subsequent edition (committee draft / development) has been recorded by ISO for future revision. Implementers should check for any newer committee drafts or published revisions when planning deployments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 238 of the ISO 10303 (STEP) series of standards. AP238 is closely related to other STEP application protocols (e.g., AP242) and relies on resource parts from the STEP Module and Resource Library for shared definitions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: STEP, AP238, STEP‑NC, AIM, ARM, machining, GD&T, EXPRESS schema, model‑based manufacturing, CAM, CNC, digital twin, additive manufacturing, AP242.