This paper outlines the problem of CAD/CAM integration and presents a
system for the automatic recognition of machining features. It is adap
table to the requirements of different environments giving the users t
he possibility of describing their own form features and inserting man
ufacturing information by using a teaching by example technique. The s
tructure resulting from this recognition process is a hybrid descripti
on of the object in terms of its characterising features to which manu
facturing attributes have been associated.