Feature-Based Design – An Overview

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the research carried out in feature-based design (FBD). Detailed definitions of features are presented and a summary on the work that has been carried out in areas such as feature taxonomies, mapping, validation, constraints in FBD, interfaces, engineering information storing schemes and the object-oriented approach is provided. A way forward is explored and a recommendation for further research is suggested in order to minimize production lead time and cut down capital costs by introducing and implementing methodologies for the automation of complex model creation.

Features and Design Intent in Engineering Sketches

“…Feature-based design has also developed in the last twenty years, moving from feature recognition for manufacturing purposes and developing into a broader method for interactively designing by features [16], and is now a well established research area. But very little research in automatically deducing design features has been done.…”

“…There are well-known algorithms for detecting them. See Shahin [16] for an overview which describes various form-feature recognition methods and explains the fundamentals of each method and the main differences between them. Also, Company et al [5] present an inflation engine which automatically reconstructs polyhedral sketches.…”

“…Detection: As holes are subtractive, they translate directly into machining features. There are well-known algorithms for detecting oblong holes [16].…”

Parametric CAD modeling: An analysis of strategies for design reusability

“…Additionally, as stated by Bodein et al [5], the research community has mainly focused on making CAD models increasingly comprehensive by incorporating various layers of information to assist designers during the decision making process. For example, mechanisms such as knowledge-based systems or model annotations [22] have been developed to aid designers in creating more reusable models, but limited efforts have been put towards developing efficient CAD modeling procedures.…”

“…The most relevant studies on feature-based modeling were compiled and discussed in the review paper presented by Shahin [22]. From a more practical perspective, design methodologies, organization requirements, and techniques for 3D product modeling are described by the German norm VDI2209 [23], which emphasizes the importance of a "thinking process" as a necessary step to create robust CAD models and prepare the next steps of the modeling process.…”