ISO/TS 10303-1101:2005

Overview

ISO/TS 10303-1101:2005 is an application module in the ISO 10303 (STEP) family for product data representation and exchange. It specifies the data semantics and module-level rules for product property feature definition, including the use of a characterized object as a feature definition and the use of a shape aspect as an instanced feature of a product. The published package includes ARM and MIM and EXPRESS listings for implementers.

Key topics

• Product property feature definition: formalizes how a product feature is defined as a property-bearing object within a STEP-based data model.
• Characterized object as feature definition: specifies using characterized objects to represent feature semantics and measurable properties.
• Shape aspect as instanced feature: describes how a shape aspect (geometric/shape-related view) can be instantiated as a concrete feature occurrence on a product.
• Machine-readable artifacts: ARM/MIM and EXPRESS listings are provided to support implementation and data exchange mapping.
• Emphasis on consistent, unambiguous representation of feature definitions within the STEP application module framework.

Practical applications

ISO/TS 10303-1101 is intended for organizations and technical teams that need standardized representation of product features and related properties for data exchange and integration:

• CAD/CAM/CAE and PLM/PDM vendors - to support feature-aware data transfer between systems.
• Systems integrators and data modelers - to incorporate feature definition modules into broader STEP application protocol implementations.
• Manufacturing and inspection engineers - to enable downstream use of feature definitions (e.g., feature-based machining, quality checks).
• Software implementers - to use the provided ARM/MIM/EXPRESS artifacts for schema generation, validation, and interoperability testing.

Benefits

• Improved interoperability for feature-based product data exchange.
• Clear separation between feature definition (characterized object) and feature instance (shape aspect instantiation).
• Reusable application module that integrates with other ISO 10303 modules and STEP application protocols.

Related standards

• ISO 10303 (STEP) family - overarching framework for product data representation and exchange.
• Other ISO 10303 application modules and APs for geometry, product structure, and manufacturing process definitions.

Keywords: ISO/TS 10303-1101, STEP, product data representation, product property feature definition, characterized object, shape aspect, ARM, MIM, EXPRESS, CAD interoperability, PLM.