An overview of automatic feature recognition techniques for computer-aided process planning

In recent years, various researchers have come up with different ways and means to integrate CAD and CAM. Automatic feature recognition from a CAD solid model, for downstream applications like process planning, greatly impacts the level of integration. A brief discussion and review of methods used in automatic feature recognition like cell division, cavity volume, convex hull, laminae slicing and other miscellaneous techniques which include graph-based and hint-based feature recognition methods have been presented. Automatic feature recognition for machining is essentially viewed as an exercise in decomposition. It is further confirmed that even in a “design by features” environment, the need for feature recognition is inevitable.