Integration of a Solid Freeform Fabrication Process into a Feature-Based CAD System Environment

The design and implementation of a feature-based software system for the Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) process is discussed. For the SFF process to be an effective design tool in a manufacturing system, the tight integration of the process into a feature-based CAD system is desired. A feature set for determining the optimal part orientation is identified, and the procedure is described.