Overview
ISO 13584-42:2010 - "Industrial automation systems and integration - Parts library - Part 42: Description methodology" defines a methodology for structuring parts families and characterizing parts independently of supplier-specific identifiers. The standard sets principles for defining characterization classes and product properties so that parts can be described, searched and exchanged consistently across systems (PLM, PDM, ERP, CAD libraries, procurement).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Characterization vs. Categorization classes: guidance to model and distinguish classes used to characterize parts (functional/technical attributes) versus those used to categorize parts for classification.
- Property modelling and constraints: capability to model properties and constrain their domain of values (data types, units, allowed ranges, formats).
- Aggregation and composition: single-resource mechanism to represent component aggregation and composition relationships within part families.
- Class-valued properties & cross-hierarchy links: support for properties whose values are classes and for connecting classes across different class hierarchies.
- External references in strings: methods to describe strings that carry references to external documents or identifiers.
- Dictionary mapping (ISO13584/IEC61360): mapping of classes and properties to the common ISO13584–IEC61360 dictionary model (attributes such as code, definition, data type, preferred name, unit, condition, formula, value format).
- Value formats and character sets: standardized formats for quantitative and non-quantitative values (see Annex D) and allowed character sets.
- Change management and ontological continuity: rules for revisions, versioning, error correction, dependency propagation and constraints on evolution of reference dictionaries (ensuring backward compatibility and traceability).
- Administrative metadata: guidance for dates, version/revision numbers, deprecation flags and administrative data for dictionary entries.
Applications and who uses it
ISO 13584-42 is practical for organizations that need standardized parts data and interoperable catalogs:
- Manufacturers and suppliers building parts libraries and product catalogs
- PLM/PDM/ERP system architects and integrators implementing product data models
- Engineers and parts librarians creating consistent BOMs (bills of materials) and component specifications
- MRO, procurement and purchasing systems requiring normalized search, filtering and procurement workflows
- Standards bodies and data modelers aligning ontologies and dictionaries (integration with IEC 61360).
Related standards
- ISO 13584 series (Parts library / PLIB)
- IEC 61360 (common data dictionary) - interoperability and shared dictionary model
Using ISO 13584-42:2010 improves data quality, searchability, and system interoperability for industrial automation parts families and component catalogs.
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