Manufacturing features recognition using backpropagation neural networks

A backpropagation neural network (BPN) is applied to the problem of feature recognition from a boundary representation (B-rep) solid model to facilitate process planning of manufactured products. It is based on the use of the face complexity code to represent the features and a neural network for the analysis of the recognition. The face complexity code is a measure of the face complexity of a feature based on the convexity or concavity of the surrounding geometry. The codes for various features are fed to the network for analysis. A backpropagation network is implemented for recognition of features and tested on published results to measure its performance. Any two or more features having significant differences in face complexity codes were used as exemplars for training the network. A new feature presented to the network is associated with one of the existing clusters, if they are similar, or the network creates a new cluster, if otherwise. Experimental results show that the network was consistent in recognizing features, hence is appropriate for application to the problem of feature recognition in automated manufacturing environment.