Extraction of manufacturing information from design-by-feature solid model through feature recognition

Feature recognition is the key to the computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) integration to build a computer-integrated manufacturing system. There are two approaches to CAD feature recognition: platform-dependent and platform-independent. In the platform-independent approach, the part's geometrical data are extracted from a neutral file such as DXF, IGES, or STEP. In contrast, the platform-dependent approach extracts the information of the design features directly from a design-by-feature solid model through the object-oriented model of a part. This paper explains a platform-dependent approach which is implemented to translate design features into manufacturing information. This approach begins with simplification using the suppression of fillets, and clustering non-intersecting design features is done. Then, the rule-based method is employed in order to recognize machining features. Finally, the needed manufacturing information such as tool accessing direction, dimensions, material removal regions, and geometrical and topological data is recognized. The application of the proposed system would be exhibited in generating machine path code for rapid prototyping and CNC machines and providing a database for computer-aided process planning. The proposed system was implemented on Autodesk Inventor and successfully tested for many complex 3D models.