{"id":53412,"date":"2026-08-20T12:49:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T03:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elysium-global.com\/en\/?p=53412"},"modified":"2026-08-20T12:49:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T03:49:16","slug":"exploring-operational-features-and-characteristics-in-step-ap242-edition-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elysium-global.com\/en\/blog\/exploring-operational-features-and-characteristics-in-step-ap242-edition-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Operational Features and Characteristics in STEP AP242 Edition 4"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

As industry moves toward model-based manufacturing, inspection, and integrated digital quality workflows, engineering data must convey not only geometry but also machine-readable operational and quality semantics.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Elysium and Lockheed Martin have published a new technical whitepaper exploring how STEP AP242 Edition 4<\/strong> can support the digital thread across CAD, manufacturing, and inspection through Operational Features (OFs), Characteristics (CRs), and persistent identification.<\/p>\n

The whitepaper addresses the semantic gap between CAD geometry and the operational features used in downstream manufacturing and inspection workflows.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”53414″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1787033476616{margin-top: 30px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;}” link=”https:\/\/go.elysium-global.com\/l\/709183\/2026-08-18\/4bbt7h”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Key Topics<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Operational Features and Characteristics<\/strong> \u2014 Approaches for representing manufacturing and inspection features and their associated quality requirements in STEP AP242 Edition 4.<\/li>\n
  • Persistent IDs and Digital Thread<\/strong> \u2014 How UUID-based identification can improve traceability across engineering and downstream systems.<\/li>\n
  • Challenges and Future Directions<\/strong> \u2014 Current gaps in STEP-based representation and opportunities for closer alignment with QIF and Model-Based Characteristics (MBC).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    For proposed representation methods, implementation considerations, and future standardization directions, read the full whitepaper.[\/vc_column_text]