Applying conceptual graph inferencing to feature-based engineering analysis

A description is provided of a way to formulate feature-related information using conceptual graphs for automated recognition of features ad their subsequent use in automated product analysis. It is the premise of this work that the formal expression of feature definitions and the definitions of higher level concepts using features, e.g. group technology part codes, can be accomplished using conceptual graphs. How the theory of conceptual graphs can provide some organizing rules to allow multiple viewpoints of the features of various engineering applications is shown and related to an application that has been developed which uses the conceptual graphs to perform inferencing.