ISO 10303-54:2005

Overview

ISO 10303-54:2005 is Part 54 of the ISO 10303 (STEP) family addressing product data representation and exchange in industrial automation. Titled Integrated generic resource: Classification and set theory, this standard provides a formal, machine-readable way to represent classification schemes and set-theoretic constructs used in product data models. The publication includes the EXPRESS schema for the resource, enabling implementers to integrate classification and set concepts consistently across PLM, CAD/CAM and other data-exchange systems.

Key Topics

The standard focuses on formal constructs and rules needed to represent classification and set-theory concepts in product data exchange:

• Classification models - structures and relationships to represent taxonomies, classes, categories and classification schemes used to group product information.
• Set theory constructs - formal representation of sets, subsets, unions, intersections and membership relationships as applicable to product data models.
• EXPRESS schema - machine-readable schema definitions that implement the classification and set-theory concepts for use in STEP-compliant exchanges.
• Interoperability semantics - rules to ensure consistent interpretation of classification and set constructs across different systems and platforms.
• Constraints and integrity - modeling guidance to enforce semantic integrity when classifying data or manipulating sets within product data exchanges.

(Note: ISO 10303-54 provides the resource and schema; implementers should consult the text for exact EXPRESS entities and formal definitions.)

Applications

ISO 10303-54 supports practical use cases where structured classification and formal set relationships are essential:

• PLM and CAD/CAM systems - tagging and organizing parts, assemblies and documents using standardized classification schemes.
• Data exchange and integration - ensuring consistent semantics when transferring classified product data between suppliers, manufacturers and service providers.
• Cataloging and configuration management - representing product families, options and variant groupings using set-theoretic constructs.
• Semantic search and discovery - enabling accurate filtering and retrieval by class membership and set relationships.
• System integration projects - mapping local taxonomies to STEP-compliant classification models for cross-system interoperability.

Who should use this standard

• PLM architects and data modelers implementing STEP-based data models.
• Software vendors building STEP-compliant CAD/PLM/data-exchange tools.
• Systems integrators and enterprises needing consistent classification across supply chains.
• Standards developers referencing EXPRESS schemas for related resources.

Related standards

ISO 10303-54 is part of the broader ISO 10303 (STEP) series. For full interoperability, use it alongside other STEP parts that define product structure, geometry, materials and application protocols.