FEATURE REPRESENTATION AND CLASSIFICATION FOR AUTOMATIC PROCESS PLANNING SYSTEMS

There is no universally accepted definition and representation for obj ect features. However, it is generally agreed that features must have attributes that have to do with the geometry of the part. Features als o have attributes that deal with the function they serve in the part. In general, feature representation and classification are domain-speci fic. In this paper, a generalized feature definition is presented and schemes for classification and representation of features in the domai ns of mechanical assembly and sheet metal fabrication are developed an d presented.