Integrated process planning using tool/process capabilities and heuristic search

CAD–CAM integration has involved either design with standard manufacturing features (feature-based design), or interpretation of a solid model based on a set of predetermined feature patterns (automatic feature recognition). Thus existing approaches are limited in application to predefined features, and also disregard the dynamic nature of the process and tool availability in the manufacturing shop floor. To overcome this problem, we develop a process oriented approach to design interpretation, and model the shape producing capabilities of the tools into tool classes. We then interpret the part by matching regions of it with the tool classes directly. In addition, there could be more than one way in which a part can be interpreted, and to obtain an optimal plan, it is necessary for an integrated computer aided process planning system to examine these alternatives. We develop a systematic search algorithm to generate the different interpretations, and a heuristic approach to sequence operations (set-ups/tools) for the features of the interpretations generated. The heuristic operation sequencing algorithm considers features and their manufacturing constraints (precedences) simultaneously, to optimally allocate set-ups and tools for the various features. The modules within the design interpretation and process planner are linked through an abstracted qualitative model of feature interactions. Such an abstract representation is convenient for geometric reasoning tasks associated with planning and design interpretation.     

自动特征识别技术综述

自动特征识别是从零件实体模型中抽取出具有特定工程意义的特征信息，由于自动特征识别构成ＣＡＤ与ＣＡＰＰ之间的智能接口，对实现ＣＡＤ，ＣＡＰＰ，ＣＡＭ集成具有重要意义，因此一直是ＣＡＤ／ＣＡＭ领域的研究热点，研究成果十分丰硕，另一方面，由于特征识别具有相当难度，该领域对仍存在的许多问题有待解决，本文对自动特征识别技术的历史和现状进行全面综述，介绍了具有代表性的特征识别方法，并阐述各个方法的特点，最后对     

Exact Recognition of Compound Features by Feature Adjacency Matrix Elimination Algorithm

Aiming at the axiom of design for manufacture (DFM), this paper describes a recognition method for abstracting compound features from a part model and discloses the basic mechanism of compounding, also builds the corresponding 2D-simulation model. The inner association between feature neighboring and feature compounding is deeply discussed and, based on the essential transforming rule of two neighboring features, the corresponding feature adjacency matrix (FAM) of multi - feature entities are generated. For the manufacturing feature converted from the pure design feature; an innovative concept-homogenous compounding is presented to clarify the architecture of machining domain. Then, the FAM recurrence elimination algorithm is developed to determine all the compound features, and according to machining sequence, outputs a group of machining domains.     

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

The existing feature-based design and feature recognition methods cannot fulfil the requirements of automated process planning. It is now recognized that satisfactory modelling of interactions between features is necessary for developing an automated process planning system. The selection of an optimum manufacturing process for a part needs to be considered at the conceptual design phase to incorporate the capabilities and constraints of the process in design. This paper describes a methodology of feature recognition that is independent of manufacturing process and explicitly generates geometric feature interactions in a part. The paper illustrates generation of feature sets for shape-forming processes, and describes a method to convert the process-independent features into machinable volumes and tool paths for material removal processes.     

Integrated manufacturing features and Design-for-manufacture guidelines for reducing product cost under CAD/CAM environment

The main contribution of the work is to develop an intelligent system for manufacturing features in the area of CAD/CAM. It brings the design and manufacturing phase together in design stage and provides an intelligent interface between design and manufacturing data by developing a library of features. The library is called manufacturing feature library which is linked with commercial CAD/CAM software package named Creo Elements/Pro by toolkit. Inside the library, manufacturing features are organised hierarchically. A systematic database system also have been developed and analysed for each feature consists of parameterised geometry, manufacturing information (including machine tool, cutting tools, cutting conditions, cutting fluids and recommended tolerances and surface finishing values, etc.), design limitations, functionality guidelines, and Design-for-manufacture guidelines. The approach has been applied in two case studies in which a rotational part (shaft) and a non-rotational part are designed through manufacturing features. Therefore, from manufacturing feature library a design can compose entirely in a bottom-up manner using manufacturable entities in the same way as they would be produced during the manufacturing phase. Upon insertion of a feature, the system ensures that no functionality or manufacturing guidelines are violated. The designers are warned if they attempt to include features that violate Design-for-manufacture and Design functionality guidelines. If a feature is modified, the system validates the feature by making sure that it remains consistent with its original functionality and Design-for-manufacture guidelines are re-applied. The system will be helped the process planner/manufacturing engineer by automatically creating work-piece data structure.     

基于实体模型的产品形状特征识别

依据实体造型的特点,从模型空间的特征层入手,搜寻模型空间中的简单形状特征,并根据造型特点获取单个特征在零件模型上的几何拓扑关系,从而实现形状特征的自动识别.通过分析特征实体造型,提出一种基于实体模型的产品形状特征识别方法,并结合微波器件产品开发特征参数提取模块,实现复杂零件模型形状特征的自动识别与提取.该方法为快速建立企业零件库提供途径,也为网络环境下的协同设计和数据共享奠定基础.     

基于痕迹的特征模型解释技术研究

提出了一种基于痕迹的特征模型多重解释新方法,通过一次分解两次组合形成零件所有可能的制造特征模型,首先,制造特征模型中的特征被分解为最小国呀体;然后利用残留在最小加工体中的特征痕迹,重构零件所有可能的制造特征;根据制造特征模型的存在条件,建立制造特征模型方程,该多解方程的解就是零件制造特征模型的多重解释。     

设计特征向加工特征转换的扫体重构法

针对同时需要铣削和车削加工的零件,提出一种基于扫体的从设计特征向加工特征转换的统一方法.采用扫体方式重构零件和毛坯模型,并将毛坯与零件之间的差体沿着这些扫体扫掠路径拆分出各种新的加工扫体,最后将这些加工扫体依照它们之间的邻接关系和加工特征形状结构选择合并成加工特征.该方法实现了同一零件中直扫体和回转扫体2种特征的统一转换,能够产生对应各种不同加工方法和方向的加工特征,有利于工艺优化.文中方法已应用于一个CAPP系统,其结果证明了该方法的可靠性.     

An integrated form-feature-based design system for manufacturing

Much of the knowledge that is applied in or communicated between design and manufacturing activities is primarily shape based or shape indexed. Previous attempts to acquire and organize shape knowledge have been mostly concentrated on feature recognition from solid models, group technology (GT) coding schemes, and feature-based modeling. This paper presents the development of an efficient form-feature-based modeling system, and addresses the important issue of utilizing feature information for manufacturing, which has not been extensively discussed by previous work. In this paper we first present a Euler operator-based approach for efficient and effective form-feature encoding and manipulation in a feature-based design environment. Subsequently, a hybrid representation scheme called enhanced CSG tree of feature (ECTOF), which integrates feature model with solid model in a tree structure, is discussed. A feature interference resolution methodology to maintain the correct and consistent feature information in an ECTOF is also deliberated. Finally, we present a machinability-checking module, which employs global accessibility criteria to analyze a feature's machinability on a three-axis machining center. By developing feature interference resolving and machinability testing techniques and integrating with an efficient feature-based design system, this research makes the development of an integrated feature-based design and manufacturing system possible.     

特征的自动识别规则与提取

在对箱体类零件的加工特征及特征参数进行了分析,归纳和总结,在特征实体造型进行了研究的基础上,制定了各类特征的合理的识别规则和 识别算法,及提取的信息模型,实现了对复杂箱体类零件的加要特征信息自动提取,及CAD／CAPP系统的信息自动传递。     

一元化特征建模技术研究

特征建模是实现ＣＡＤ／ＣＡＭ以及并行工程中信息集成的键。一元化征建模技术融特征设计和特征识别两者一体，设计阶段的初始设计特征进入应用领域后，经过特征识别器表成领域专用特征。     

An approach to identify design and manufacturing features from a data exchanged part model

Due to the large variety of CAD systems in the market, data exchange between different CAD systems is indispensable. Currently, data exchange standards such as STEP and IGES, etc. provide a unique approach for interfacing among different CAD platforms. Once the feature-based CAD model created in one CAD system is input into another via data exchange standards, many of the original features and the feature-related information may not exist any longer. The identification of the design features and their further decomposition into machining features for the downstream activities from a data exchanged part model is a bottleneck in integrated product and process design and development. In this paper, the feature panorama is succinctly articulated from the viewpoint of product design and manufacturing. To facilitate feature identification and extraction, a multiple-level feature taxonomy and hierarchy is proposed based on the characteristics of part geometry and topology entities. The relationships between the features and their geometric entities are established. A litany of algorithms for the identification of design and machining features are proposed. Besides, how to recognize the intersecting features or compound features based on the featureless chunks of geometry entities is critical and the issue is addressed in the paper. A multi-level compound feature representation and recognition approach are presented. Finally, case studies are used to illustrate the validity of the approach and algorithms proposed for the identification of the features from CAD part models in neutral format.     

混合加工特征识别方法

介绍一种集成了自动特征识别和用户交互特征定义的混合特征识别方法，该方法采用基于广义痕迹的特征识别建立零件的加工特征模型，通过交互特征定义对已建立的加工特征模型进行局部修改和再解释，在交互特征定义中，用户只需通过选取要修改的特征面定义自己的特征，剩余的面则调用自动特征识别算法处理，特征参数由系统提供的统一算法计算，从而减少了交互的工作量，这种混合特征识别方法有助于提高加工特征识别系统的实用性和健壮性。     

机械加工MBD毛坯模型的特征识别设计方法

为了解决基于模型的定义(MBD)环境下机械加工毛坯辅助设计问题,采用特征识别技术辅助创建三维毛坯模型.首先分析了机械加工工艺设计环节MBD毛坯模型的组成要素与模型要求,并建立零件模型的属性面邻接图;根据零件模型上加工特征的特点划分简单特征、体积特征和表面特征;通过属性面邻接子图的模式从特征集合中识别出简单特征与体积特征,并利用补特征法与半空间法抑制这2种特征;最后,根据工艺员输入的表面加工余量创建抑制表面特征的实体.在整个毛坯设计推理过程中研究了三维制造标注的维护方法,最终达到辅助工艺员快速设计MBD毛坯模型的目的.     

面向并行设计的特征识别与模型重构方法

在分析现有CAD软件以及产品建模方法不足的基础上，引入广义工程语义特征的概念，应用广义特征对象实现面向并行设计的产品广义信息模型的简化表示；提出一种自动特征识别方法，对识别对象进行分类；以截面复杂的回转体特征为例，着重表述了基于基面的特征识别算法；扼要介绍Pro／E软件中的特征结构树，提出面向Pro／E的特征信息三级提取策略与特征信息模型重构原则，并据此开发了DFX原型系统．     

An algebraic approach to feature interactions

The various approaches proposed to provide communication between CAD systems and process planning systems share the major problem that, due to geometric interactions among features, there may be several equally valid sets of manufacturable features describing the same part, and different sets of features may differ in their manufacturability. Thus, to produce a good process plan-or, in some cases, any plan at ll-it may be necessary to interpret the part as a different set of features than the one initially obtained from the CAD model. This is addressed using an algebra of features. Given a set of features describing a machinable part, other equally valid interpretations of the part can be produced by performing operations in the algebra. This will enable automated process planning systems to examine these interpretations in order to see which one is most appropriate for use in manufacturing. The feature algebra has been implemented for a restricted domain and integrated with the Protosolid solid modeling system and the EFHA process planning system     

Manufacturing features extraction and recognition in automated process planning

Features are considered the information carriers between design and manufacturing. Manufacturing feature here refers to a certain shape of volumes which is to be removed from the blank to produce the finish part. In this paper, an Overall Removable Volume is generated through the graphically comparing a finish part and a blank. A Removable Surface-based Concave Edge (RM-CV) feature extraction approach is introduced to extract manufacturing features. The recognition of manufacturing features are performed with the programs written in C and CLIPS expert system. The General Manufacturing Feature Information Scheme (GMF-IS) is also designed to maintain the information between the features, blank and finished part. This paper covers part of the research project founded by Naval Ordnance Station.     

Maintaining associativity between form feature models

The promise of features technology was that the task domains would have access to task specific product data through feature based models. This is an important requirement in a distributed and concurrent design environment, where data of part geometry has to be shared between different task domains.Associativity between feature models implies the automatic updating of different feature models of a part after changes are made in one of its feature models. The proposed algorithm takes multiple feature models of a part as input and modifies other feature models to reflect the changes made to a feature in a feature model. The proposed algorithm updates feature volumes in other feature models and then classifies the updated volumes to obtain the updated feature model. The spatial arrangement of feature faces and adjacency relationship between features are used to isolate features in a view that are affected by the modification. Feature volumes are updated based on the classification of the feature volume of the modified feature with respect to feature volumes of the model being updated. The algorithm is capable of handling all types of feature modifications namely, feature deletion, feature creation, and changes to feature location and parameters. In contrast to current art in automatic updating of feature models, the proposed algorithm does not use an intermediate representation, does not re-interpret the feature model from a low level representation and handles interacting features. The present work considers modifications to form features only. Modification of constraints and application attributes are under investigation. Results of implementation on typical cases are presented.     

An artificial intelligence planning approach to manufacturing feature recognition

Within manufacturing, features have been widely accepted as useful concepts, and in particular they are used as an interface between CAD and CAPP systems. Previous research on feature recognition focus on the issues of intersecting features and multiple interpretations, but do not address the problem of custom features representation. Representation of features is an important aspect for making feature recognition more applicable in practice. In this paper a hybrid procedural and knowledge-based approach based on artificial intelligence planning is presented, which addresses both classic feature interpretation and also feature representation problems. STEP designs are presented as case studies in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model.