ISO 14649-14:2013

Overview

ISO 14649-14:2013 - "Automation systems and integration - Physical device control - Data model for computerized numerical controllers - Part 14: Process data for sink electrical discharge machining (sink‑EDM)" defines the technology‑specific process data needed to describe sink‑EDM operations. Used together with ISO 14649‑10 (general process data), it establishes the data interface between a CAM/programming system and a computerized numerical controller (CNC) for sink‑EDM machines. The part includes EXPRESS data definitions, an EXPRESS listing (Annex A) and informative graphical views (Annex B), and is intended exclusively for sink‑EDM process data (not for turning, grinding, etc.).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Data model and schema: Adds a sink_EDM schema that references the general machining_schema in ISO 14649‑10 and uses EXPRESS for entity definitions and ISO 10303‑21 for encoding.
• Technology‑specific entities: Defines sink‑EDM process entities such as:
  • sink_edm_volumetric_pocket - describes a tool‑revolved cavity feature (feature_boundary + axis).
  • sink_edm_machining_operation - operation parameters (first_depth, depth_of_step, approach, retract) for layer/multi‑step sinking.
  • sink_edm_technology - technological parameters (spindle speed, sync_spindle_and_z_feed, other_generator_parameters).
  • sink_edm_machine_functions - machine state flags and settings (flush, aspiration, flush_pressure, other_functions).
  • sink_edm_machining_strategy family - strategies that affect toolpath generation (contour_parallel, along_vector, synchronized_feed).
• Process behavior and defaults: Specifies how approach/retract strategies and toolpath choices interact with controller decisions; clarifies defaults when attributes are omitted.
• Extensibility: Allows machine‑specific parameters via generic property_parameter sets for generator or other functions.

Practical applications and users

• CAM and post‑processor developers: Implement standardized sink‑EDM process data exchange to generate interoperable machining workingsteps and toolpaths.
• CNC and sink‑EDM machine manufacturers: Map controller inputs/outputs to the ISO 14649‑14 data model for consistent shop‑floor automation.
• System integrators and smart factory projects: Use the standard for integrating CAD/CAM, scheduling and CNC control systems for EDM manufacturing.
• Shop‑floor programmers and tooling engineers: Rely on standardized attributes (depth steps, flushing, machining strategies) to ensure reproducible EDM processes.

Related standards

• ISO 14649‑10 - General process data (required companion document)
• Other ISO 14649 parts: ‑11 (milling), ‑12 (turning), ‑13 (wire‑EDM), and tool/MT data parts
• ISO 10303‑11 (EXPRESS) and ISO 10303‑21 - languages and file encoding used for the data model

Keywords: ISO 14649-14, sink-EDM, process data, CNC data model, CAM‑CNC interface, machining strategy, EDM technology, EXPRESS, ISO 10303.