A method for generation of machining and fixturing features from design features

摘要

In current CAD/CAE systems, feature-based design is a popular method for generating product models. To generate feature information for manufacturing or other downstream applications from this product model, the feature information generated during design is extremely useful. A method is presented in this paper, where attributes are used to generate design feature information. This information is used as the driving factor for the generation of machining and fixturing features. Heuristics-based methods are explored for volume decomposition and composition, which are the intermediate steps used to generate machining features. The generation of alternative machining features is followed by evaluation in the form of various tests. Attribute-driven rules are used eventually to find machining features. Fixturing features are generated by considering forces and moments involved in machining. This methodology of generating application features using design information is known as feature recovery. A prototype feature recovery system has been designed and implemented to demonstrate the feature recovery method.