Feature Recognition for Manufacturability Analysis

While automated recognition of features has been attempted for a wide range of applications, no single existing approach possesses the functionality required to perform manufacturability analysis. In this paper, we present a methodology for taking a CAD model and extracting a set of machinable features suitable for generating all alternative interpretations of the model as collections of MRSEVs (Material Removal Shape Element Volumes, a STEP-based library of machining, features). This set of MRSEVs is to be employed for manufacturability analysis. The algorithm handles a variety of features including those describing holes, pockets, slots, and chamfering and filleting operations. In addition, it considers elementary accessibility constraints for these features and is provably complete over a, significant class of machinable parts the features describe. Further, the approach has low-order polynomial-time worst-case complexity.