ISO 10303-242-2022 PDF

Full title and description

Industrial automation systems and integration — Product data representation and exchange — Part 242: Application protocol: Managed model-based 3D engineering (ISO 10303-242:2022). This edition defines the STEP AP242 application protocol for exchanging and archiving managed model-based 3D product data (3D geometry, PMI, product structure, configuration and related metadata) across engineering and supply-chain systems.

Abstract

ISO 10303-242:2022 specifies the information model and modules for managed model-based 3D engineering, covering product definition, configuration control, assemblies, geometry representations (wireframe, surface, B-Rep, tessellated), PMI (dimensional and geometric tolerancing), kinematics, analysis results, composite and additive-manufacturing data, electrical harness design and long-term archival needs. The standard supports exchange and long-term retrieval of engineering/product data for automotive, aerospace and other mechanical industries.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (superseded by a later edition).
• Publication date: 2022-12 (December 2022).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 25.040.40 (Industrial automation systems and integration / product data representation and exchange).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2022).
• Number of pages: 33 (ISO published record for the 2022 edition).

(General publication and status details taken from ISO catalogue entries for ISO 10303-242:2022.)

Scope

AP242 (ISO 10303‑242:2022) covers the exchange, management and long‑term archiving of product and engineering data for parts, assemblies, tools and related items across automotive, aerospace and other mechanical industries. It includes product structure and configuration control, geometry and multiple shape representations, PMI and tolerancing, process‑planning and manufacturing information, assemblies and mating constraints, kinematics and analysis management, composite and additive manufacturing data, and electrical harness design features. The standard is intended to be used for data exchange between CAD/PLM/CAE/PDM systems and for archival use.

Key topics and requirements

• Managed model‑based 3D engineering information model (AP242 domain model).
• Support for multiple geometry representations: wireframe, surface, bounded surface, B‑Rep, tessellated/triangulated shapes and scanned data.
• Product Manufacturing Information (PMI): semantic annotation, geometric tolerances, dimensions and PMI data quality considerations.
• Product structure, configuration management and version/delta change representation.
• Assembly, mating and kinematics data for describing how parts fit and move together.
• Electrical harness (EWIS) design constructs and connectivity information (added/expanded across editions).
• Composite material definitions and additive‑manufacturing build information.
• Requirements for long‑term archiving and retrieval of engineering/product data (interchange and lifecycle traceability).
• Modules and mappings to related STEP resources (domain/business object models, XML/XSD schemas for AP242 implementations).

These topics and module requirements are described in the AP242 documentation and ISO catalogue abstract for the 2022 edition.

Typical use and users

Primary users are OEMs (automotive, aerospace, machinery), tiered suppliers, PLM/CAD/CAE/PDM software vendors, system integrators and organizations responsible for long‑term product archives and regulatory compliance. AP242 is typically used to exchange annotated 3D models with PMI, transfer complete product definitions between engineering systems, enable model‑based definition workflows, and support interoperability testing and vendor integrations. Implementation guidance and industry adoption information are provided by AP242 community sites and interoperability forums.

Related standards

ISO 10303‑242 is part of the ISO 10303 (STEP) family. Related and predecessor documents include AP203 and AP214 (earlier mechanical CAD APs), AP238/AP239 (process planning and manufacturing), ISO 10303‑59 (product data quality / PDQ), and the STEP resource/technical specifications such as ISO/TS 10303‑4442 for domain/business object models and XSD schema mappings used by AP242 implementations. AP242 editions are developed and coordinated through ISO/TC 184/SC 4 and industry implementer forums.

Keywords

STEP, AP242, ISO 10303-242, managed model-based 3D engineering, PMI, product data exchange, PLM, CAD interchange, B‑Rep, tessellation, EWIS, composite design, additive manufacturing, product archiving.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10303-242:2022 (AP242) is an ISO STEP Application Protocol that defines data models and modules for managed model‑based 3D engineering — enabling exchange and archival of 3D models, PMI, product structure and related engineering data.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers product definition and configuration control, multiple geometry representations, PMI and tolerancing, assembly/mating/kinematics information, analysis/verification links, composite and additive‑manufacturing data, electrical harness design data and requirements for long‑term archival and interchange.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: OEMs (automotive, aerospace, machine builders), suppliers, PLM/CAD/CAE vendors, archives and system integrators use AP242 to exchange rich product models, implement model‑based definition workflows, and ensure interoperability across engineering and enterprise systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2022 edition is recorded by ISO as Withdrawn and has been superseded by a later AP242 edition published in 2025 (ISO 10303‑242:2025). Users should consult the 2025 edition for the most recent, published AP242 content and use the 2022 text only for historical/archival reference.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — AP242 is one part of the ISO 10303 (STEP) family of standards (multiple Parts/Application Protocols and resource/technical specifications). AP242 evolved from and consolidates capabilities from earlier STEP APs such as AP203 and AP214 and is coordinated via ISO/TC 184/SC 4 and industry implementer forums.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Keywords include: STEP, AP242, managed model-based 3D engineering, PMI, CAD interchange, PLM, product data exchange, B‑Rep, tessellated geometry, EWIS, composite design, additive manufacturing.