Problem of data exchange:

The problem of data exchange between several heterogeneous systems had been recognized various years ago and initiated standardization activities in almost each industry that utilizes CAD/CAM and CAE tools. Also an effort was made to draft standards on an international level to conceive standard interfaces for interconnecting CAD & CAM systems to transfer design data to the planning activities of manufacturing. Information that is communicated across the interfaces has graphical, geometry, drawing related and product model data as in Figure. This data is utilized for process planning, manufacturing, scheduling and quality control.