FAQs
Yes and No. We do not
release results or statistics specific to any individual system or
vendor. Vendor participation and aggregate measures of system
performance relative to particular test cases are discussed at the
PDES, Inc. and prostep ivip Roundtables
Yes, you have to be
member of at least on of the hosting organizations, and in addition,
meet the following participation requirements:
- have at least a prototype STEP translator: an implementation of a postprocessor (STEP import) and/or a preprocessor (STEP export) based on either AP203, AP209, AP214 or AP242.
- sign a non-disclosure agreement
- have public Internet access for using email and web
- attend scheduled MBx Interoperability Forum meetings (four per year)
- participate in conference calls (approximately 4 per year) actively collaborate in STEP Interoperability Testing
The MBx-IF encompasses
aspects of both interoperability testing and conformance testing. We
utilize the STEP conformance testing tools and techniques to
validate the syntax, structure, and some level of the semantics in
each STEP exchange file produced for testing. This validation is
enforced prior to subsequent import of these files by other MBx-IF
participants during the test procedure. The MBx-IF is a forum for
interoperability testing because it tests how well products from
numerous vendors communicate with each other, i.e. interoperate.
Vendor participants are
provided a forum where they can test their products to ensure they
are interoperable with the STEP AP203, AP209, AP214 and AP242
translator products from other vendors . MBx-IF has proven
invaluable in helping vendors accelerate their product development
process, helping them to build conformance to the standard into
their product during development, giving them access to STEP files
from other vendors, and providing a forum for discussion of
implementation issues.
Users get better and more
reliable STEP translator products faster.
New members/Participants
should:
- attend the meetings that are held once every three months sponsored by AFNeT, PDES, Inc and prostep ivip. This is where issues and results are discussed, and implementation agreements are reached.
- keep up with e-mail on the exploder. This is where testing procedures are discussed and agreed to and many "fuzzy" areas of the STEP standard are clarified -- often with input from the original STEP authors/part owners.
The STEP standard was
developed under the ISO. MBx-IF is testing various portions of the
STEP standard, focussing on AP203, AP209, AP214 and AP242. The MBx Interoperability Forum also identifies issues with the STEP standard that
it turns in as feedback to ISO using SC4 Enhancement and Discrepancy
System (SEDS) reports.