JSDAI (http://www.jsdai.net/) is the most powerful STEP toolkit for the Java(TM) programming language with unique features not available elsewhere. Since its first release in 1998 the core API based on ISO 10303-22/27 "Standard data access interface (SDAI)" is stable, but got constantly extended for new features. JSDAI is fast, able to process large amounts of data and is in use by commercial applications such as IDA-STEP (http://www.ida-step.net/).
LKSoft now decided to release a product that took more than 10 man-years of development under the "GNU Affero General Public License" v3. In parallel LKSoft will continue to offer commercial licenses for commercial applications.
STEP, the "STandard for the Exchange of Product model data" is an alias for ISO 10303 "Industrial automation systems and integration - Product data representation and exchange". ISO 10303 is the most comprehensive standard of the International Organization for Standardization. It consists of more than 70 regular parts and 500 application modules.
STEP is today in wide use by all major mechanical CAD systems for 3D geometry and assembly structures. But STEP is supporting much more: 2D, machining features, GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerances), construction history, parametrics, kinematics, material characteristics, breakdowns and variants, electrical connectivity, cables/wire harness, printed circuit boards and assembly, ship structures, requirements, ... and finally the whole area of life cycle support. Releasing JSDAI under AGPL should help initiating new projects (especially in the academic world) to take advantage of all the capabilities of STEP.
Together with JSDAI comes the XIM library, the eXtended Integrated Model. It offers two unique features not found elsewhere, the ARM-AIM/MIM integration in combination with cross AP implementation support. The ARM-AIM/MIM integration is a high level API for STEP Application Protocols, allowing to operate on the so called Application Reference Model (ARM), while supporting import and export on the underlying normative Application or Modular Integrated Model (AIM/MIM). Applications can use the cross AP implementation support to go beyond the boundaries of a single STEP Application Protocol.
In particular XIM is supporting these APs:
* ISO 10303-203 Configuration controlled 3D designs of mechanical parts and assemblies;
* ISO 10303-210 Electronic assembly, interconnect and packaging design
with a focus on Printed Circuit Boards and Assembly;
* ISO 10303-214 Core data for automotive mechanical design processes.
* ISO 10303-236 Furniture product data and project data;
* ISO 10303-239 Product life cycle support, PLCS.
For the future it is planned to add two further APs:
* ISO 10303-209 Composite and metallic structural analysis and related design
* ISO 10303-233 Systems engineering data representation
Another major part of JSDAI is the development environment for Eclipse (http://www.eclipse.org/). It provides all the needed tools to make users develop their own data models on the basis of the EXPRESS modelling language (ISO 10303-11). This includes tools like the Express-Compiler, an Express-G editor to create Express diagrams, documentation and data validation tools. But the main feature is that instantly after compiling an Express schema the user can start writing Java applications for that schema, taking advantage of the persistent and object oriented capabilities of STEP. From the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment this part of the tool can easily be installed using http://eclipse.jsdai.net/ as the remote site.
The three major components JSDAI Runtime, XIM and JSDAI Developer are released under AGPL. Only the JSDAI Database component remains under commercial license.
LKSoft now decided to release a product that took more than 10 man-years of development under the "GNU Affero General Public License" v3. In parallel LKSoft will continue to offer commercial licenses for commercial applications.
STEP, the "STandard for the Exchange of Product model data" is an alias for ISO 10303 "Industrial automation systems and integration - Product data representation and exchange". ISO 10303 is the most comprehensive standard of the International Organization for Standardization. It consists of more than 70 regular parts and 500 application modules.
STEP is today in wide use by all major mechanical CAD systems for 3D geometry and assembly structures. But STEP is supporting much more: 2D, machining features, GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerances), construction history, parametrics, kinematics, material characteristics, breakdowns and variants, electrical connectivity, cables/wire harness, printed circuit boards and assembly, ship structures, requirements, ... and finally the whole area of life cycle support. Releasing JSDAI under AGPL should help initiating new projects (especially in the academic world) to take advantage of all the capabilities of STEP.
Together with JSDAI comes the XIM library, the eXtended Integrated Model. It offers two unique features not found elsewhere, the ARM-AIM/MIM integration in combination with cross AP implementation support. The ARM-AIM/MIM integration is a high level API for STEP Application Protocols, allowing to operate on the so called Application Reference Model (ARM), while supporting import and export on the underlying normative Application or Modular Integrated Model (AIM/MIM). Applications can use the cross AP implementation support to go beyond the boundaries of a single STEP Application Protocol.
In particular XIM is supporting these APs:
* ISO 10303-203 Configuration controlled 3D designs of mechanical parts and assemblies;
* ISO 10303-210 Electronic assembly, interconnect and packaging design
with a focus on Printed Circuit Boards and Assembly;
* ISO 10303-214 Core data for automotive mechanical design processes.
* ISO 10303-236 Furniture product data and project data;
* ISO 10303-239 Product life cycle support, PLCS.
For the future it is planned to add two further APs:
* ISO 10303-209 Composite and metallic structural analysis and related design
* ISO 10303-233 Systems engineering data representation
Another major part of JSDAI is the development environment for Eclipse (http://www.eclipse.org/). It provides all the needed tools to make users develop their own data models on the basis of the EXPRESS modelling language (ISO 10303-11). This includes tools like the Express-Compiler, an Express-G editor to create Express diagrams, documentation and data validation tools. But the main feature is that instantly after compiling an Express schema the user can start writing Java applications for that schema, taking advantage of the persistent and object oriented capabilities of STEP. From the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment this part of the tool can easily be installed using http://eclipse.jsdai.net/ as the remote site.
The three major components JSDAI Runtime, XIM and JSDAI Developer are released under AGPL. Only the JSDAI Database component remains under commercial license.
