since 1999

The Memorandum of Understanding for the MBx IF signed by the three hosting organizations in the middle of the year formalized the successful collaboration and thus paving the way for future extensions for other domains. Improvements were made to semantic PMI, including Saved View Viewpoints, supported by NIST’s STEP File Analyzer and Viewer. Recommended practices were updated and technical issues resolved, especially with regard to composites. In cooperation with the JT IF, significant progress was made on the exchange of kinematics using AP242 XML, which is now supported by five vendors. The User Group developed user stories for composites, PMI and assemblies with fasteners. The EWIS IF conducted its third round of testing, based on AP242 Edition 2.

Creating broad support for AP242 Ed.2 Minor Revision will be a core focus; this will include interoperability testing of the AP242 XML assembly structure with the PDM IF and ongoing kinematics-related activities with the JT IF. Graphical representation of PMI at assembly level, previously tested in a LOTAR pilot, will be a challenging expansion of the scope. The User Group will continue developing its backlog, which covers parametric collaboration, administrative data and visualization, and will initiate user best practices. The EWIS IF will expand its wire harness tutorial for AP242 into a full Recommended Practices document and continue to pursue its testing activities. All MBx IF user groups will collaborate on describing use cases and ensuring the consistency of recommended practices across domains.