Recognition of interacting prismatic features from feature based models

Abstract

Automated feature recognition is considered as the bridge between the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Process Planning (CAPP). The automation of process planning requires the recognition of the features by implementing the feature recognition procedure to execute the planning of process. Many methods have been proposed nowadays corresponding to the various kinds of features in different types of CAD software packages. Under such conditions, many researchers have been contributed to this area of research. In this method, the effort is focused on features with inner loops. The selected features are rectangular boss, pocket and hole related to the machining features of pocket, hole, step and slot in isolated form or interacting form. The proposed method is tested using Visual Basic for Application (VBA) programming, and implemented on the Solidworks solid models. The measured performances are the total recognition time, design feature document and machining feature document. The result proves the feasibility of the proposed method. With a simple programming language and easy to understand algorithm the proposed method shows its overwhelming advantages in recognition the features with inner loops.