Manufacturing feature extraction and machined volume decomposition in a computer-integrated feature-based design and manufacturing planning environment

Abstract In this paper a backward growing approach to manufacturing feature extraction and machined volume decomposition is discussed. B_Grow, a backward growing feature recognition system is incorporated in the QTC II system, an integrated design/manufacturing system, to handle protrusion features for process planning. In a computer-integrated feature-based design and manufacturing planning environment, design features in the forms of protrusion and depression features are provided at the feature-based design (FBD) system. Since depression features loosely correspond to machining processes, they are easy to handle during process planning and NC cutter path generation. However, protrusion features do not have this type of explicit mapping relationship between machining processes. The surrounding volume of the protrusion features needs to be decomposed into simpler basic machined shapes. In addition, the original workpiece needs to increase in size so as to have enough material for the protruding features.