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StOB & Standards Glossary

Your comprehensive resource for standards terminology, definitions, and industry insights

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Connection Systems
Standards & Data Formats

Standardized interfaces for connecting cutting tool components

Advantages

  • Common interface semantics remove guesswork at CSW/assembly points
  • Improves interoperability across catalogs, CAM, and container packages

Considerations

  • Naming/code alignment across DIN ↔ ISO must be maintained during harmonization
  • Vendors may need to update libraries as legacy pieces are cleaned up in the unified roadmap
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CSW

Coordinate system workpiece side

Advantages

  • Enables consistent interpretation of tool orientation across different systems and manufacturers
  • Reduces errors in tool setup and machining by providing a clear reference.
  • Facilitates seamless data exchange between CAD, CAM, and CNC systems.

Considerations

  • Requires understanding of ISO 13399 parameters and proper implementation in digital workflows
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DIN 26100
Standards & Data Formats

Container file format for bundling multiple product data files

Advantages

  • Provides a standardized way to share complete tool datasets in one archive, ensuring nothing is missing or mismatched during exchange
  • Widely adopted in Germany since its initial release in 2017 (with an update in 2021).

Considerations

  • Originated as a national (DIN) standard, limiting global reach until aligned internationally
  • Now undergoing harmonization with ISO’s format to create a unified standard, which will improve worldwide compatibility and reduce duplicate maintenance efforts
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DIN 4000
Standards & Data Formats

Tabular property layouts for standardized tool and component descriptions

Advantages

  • Precise classification
  • Mandatory/optional semantics
  • Strong mapping to practical use

Considerations

  • National origin
  • Requires harmonization with ISO 13399 to avoid dual maintenance
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DIN 4000-180
Standards & Data Formats

Defines properties for complete tool assemblies in machine magazines

Advantages

  • Clear “tool-in-hand” assembly semantics that map well to catalogs and BOMs

Considerations

  • Requires alignment with ISO properties
  • Harmonization with ISO/TS 13399-6 is pilot priority 1
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DIN 4000-190
Standards & Data Formats

Specifies characteristics for clamping devices used on machine tools

Advantages

  • Clear split between generic vs. part-specific fixtures
  • Property-driven descriptions and BOM enable consistent data exchange and CAM planning

Considerations

  • Must stay aligned with clamping elements (DIN 4000-191) and DIN/ISO harmonization work so property lists and codes remain interoperable across catalogs, CAM, and container packages.
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DIN 4000-191
Standards & Data Formats

Tabular layouts for clamping elements and related components

Advantages

  • Consistent semantics for clamping elements improve fixture assembly definitions, searchability, and CAM/CMM setup flows

Considerations

  • Code/picture alignment must be maintained during DIN ↔ ISO harmonization to avoid mapping drift in libraries and exchange containers
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DIN 4000/4003-210
Standards & Data Formats

Properties and 3D model concepts for cutting machine tools

Advantages

  • Property-based machine descriptions enable CAM/simulation and layout planning (working area, travel paths, infrastructure connection points) without ambiguous 2D
  • Consistent 3D assets downstream

Considerations

  • Expansion to machines/fixtures spans multiple ISO committees and needs coordinated harmonization with ISO 13399 dictionaries and DIN tables to avoid duplication
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DIN 4003
Standards & Data Formats

Concept for creating 3D models based on DIN 4000 properties

Advantages

  • Enables consistent 3D models and assemblies for CAM/simulation

Considerations

  • Needs continued alignment with ISO graphics/3D parts to prevent duplication
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DXF

CAD file format for 2D/3D geometry exchange

Advantages

  • Universal compatibility across CAD/CAM platforms
  • Lightweight and easy to process for CNC machines

Considerations

  • Limited metadata support compared to STEP
  • Requires layer management for complex assemblies
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EXPRESS
Standards & Data Formats

Data modeling language for product information standards

Advantages

  • Offers clear, unambiguous data definitions
  • Supports complex product structures and constraints
  • Facilitates validation and error checking

Considerations

  • Steep learning curve for new users
  • Limited adoption outside STEP-related domains
  • Requires specialized tools for editing and validation
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GTC
Standards & Data Formats

Vendor-neutral classification and exchange format for cutting tools

Advantages

  • Proven structure for CAM/library exchange
  • Practical granularity

Considerations

  • Interim layer
  • Long-term plan is a single international item-class definition (harmonized with DIN/ISYC)
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GTDE
Systems & Integration

Online platform for standardized cutting tool data exchange

Advantages

  • Centralized access to standardized cutting tool data for manufacturers and users
  • Free downloads for users, reducing data acquisition costs

Considerations

  • Requires manufacturer participation for comprehensive data availability
  • Data maintenance and updates must be managed to ensure accuracy
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ISO 13399
Standards & Data Formats

International standard for cutting tool data representation and exchange

Advantages

  • International reach
  • Unified property dictionary
  • Broad tooling scope

Considerations

  • Some item classes are too generic for receiving systems
  • External overlays (e.g., GTC) emerged to fill gaps
  • ~10% of parameters still misaligned vs. DIN
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ISO 13399-50
Standards & Data Formats

Reference dictionary for cutting tool reference systems and common concepts

Advantages

  • A common reference-systems layer stabilizes coordinates, mounting points, and cross-part relationships — critical for assemblies and predictable imports.

Considerations

  • Needs careful alignment with DIN 4003 coordinate concepts and ongoing DIN/ISO harmonization to prevent duplicate or divergent definitions in tooling ecosystems
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ISO Maintenance Agency
Systems & Integration

Organization responsible for maintaining ISO 13399 and related standards

Advantages

  • Predictable change control
  • Recurring web meetings (1–2 months)
  • Supports ad-hoc expert groups for bursts

Considerations

  • Requires disciplined ticketing (Assembly) and expert participation
  • Lead times depend on queue volume
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ISO/TS 13399-6
Standards & Data Formats

Technical specification for reference dictionary of cutting tool assemblies

Advantages

  • Global framework for describing assemblies across ecosystems

Considerations

  • Requires detailed definition reconciliation with DIN to remove ambiguity
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ISO/TS 13399-90
Standards & Data Formats

Defines implementation methods for exchanging cutting tool standard data

Advantages

  • Standardized, automatable imports across CAD/CAM/PDM
  • Supports unified exchange.

Considerations

  • Adoption ongoing
  • Under active harmonization with DIN 26100 (Pilot Priority 1)
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ISYC
Standards & Data Formats

Industry Standard for tool data communication and classification

Advantages

  • Better human/machine understanding
  • Bridges DIN classes and ISO symbols

Considerations

  • Needs continued integration into ISO dictionaries to replace ad-hoc overlays
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MCS

Mounting coordinate system

Advantages

  • Ensures precise tool path execution.
  • Supports flexible work offsets.

Considerations

  • Incorrect mapping can lead to collisions.
  • Requires synchronization with CAM post-processors.
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P21
Standards & Data Formats

File format for exchanging product data in STEP standard

Advantages

  • Neutral format for exchanging product data between different platforms
  • Supports structured, machine-readable representation of cutting tool data
  • Widely adopted in engineering and manufacturing industries

Considerations

  • Requires strict compliance with STEP schemas
  • Limited human readability without specialized tools
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PCS

Primary coordinate system

Advantages

  • Maintains part integrity across platforms.
  • Simplifies modular assembly alignment.

Considerations

  • Misalignment with global system can cause errors.
  • Requires careful definition during design.
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PLIB
Standards & Data Formats

Standardized component data model for CAD/CAM interoperability

Advantages

  • Provides a standardized dictionary for component data across systems
  • Improves interoperability between CAD/CAM and PLM environments
  • Reduces ambiguity in technical specifications

Considerations

  • Requires alignment with ISO 13584 standards
  • Implementation can be complex for legacy systems
  • Limited flexibility for highly customized data models
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STEP
Standards & Data Formats

Standard for product data exchange in manufacturing

Advantages

  • Enables seamless data exchange between different systems
  • Reduces data loss during file conversions
  • Supports long-term archiving of product data

Considerations

  • Implementation can be complex and costly
  • Requires consistent version management across systems
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StOB
Standards & Data Formats

Comprehensive standard for cutting tool data exchange and integration

Advantages

  • Comprehensive coverage of all tooling data elements (geometry, technology, 2D/3D, e-commerce)
  • Standardized approach based on DIN 4000 and ISO 13399 for global compatibility
  • Long-term stability and continuous evolution aligned with industry needs

Considerations

  • Requires adherence to international standards for full interoperability
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ToolValidata
Systems & Integration

Service for validating cutting tool data formats and standards

Advantages

  • Improves data quality and standard compliance
  • Reduces errors in downstream processes like CAM and simulation
  • Saves time by automating format checks

Considerations

  • Requires integration with existing data workflows
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