Review of research in feature-based design

Abstract

Research in feature-based design is reviewed. Feature-based design is regarded as a key factor towards CAD/CAPP integration from a process planning point of view. From a design point of view, featurebased design offers possibilities for supporting the design process better than current CAD systems do. The evolution of feature definitions is briefly discussed. Features and their role in the design process and as representatives of design-objects and design-object knowledge are discussed. The main research issues related to feature-based design are outlined. These are: feature representation, features and tolerances, feature validation, multiple viewpoints towards features, features and standardization, and features and languages. An overview of some academic featurebased design systems is provided. Future research issues in feature-based design are outlined. The conclusion is that feature-based design is still in its infancy, and that more research is needed for a better support of the design process and better integration with manufacturing, although major advances have already been made.

Associative feature modeling for concurrent engineering integration

“…They are initially modeled based on machining features that can be used to integrate CAPP and CAM packages [11]. After many years of development on feature-based design or manufacturing, most of the implemented features are still CAD application oriented and related to machining processes (e.g.…”

“…One way to bridge these gaps is to build high-level design expertise and rules in a knowledge-oriented system [9,10] while low-level design intent into a CAD system in the form of information-rich objects, which can be referred to as features in general although there have been many different definitions in the past literature [11][12][13][14]. As shown above, with certain naming conventions, such objects can then be mapped as arguments of predicate calculus, and manipulated with artificial intelligence (AI) languages, such as Prolog.…”

Recognizing Thai handwritten characters and words for human–computer interaction

“…They reported that modelling of component characteristics and processing system capabilities provides a good basis for solving many of the tasks involved in process planning, appropriate framework and linking the plans to a machining strategy and machine}shop scheduling/loading system. Salomons, Houten and Kals (1993) explain that a feature taxonomy is the structured way in which it classi"es features. A feature subclass can inherit some properties from a super class without a repeated properties declaration.…”

An application-independent methodology of feature recognition with explicit representation of feature interaction

“…A good review of research work done in feature-based design is given in Salomons et al (1993). The limitation of the feature-based design approach is that the designer must know in advance what process is to be used to manufacture the part.…”