A feature data model in milling process planning

Abstract

A feature is well known as a medium to integrate CAD, CAPP and CAM systems. For a part drawing including both simple geometry and compound geometry, a process plan such as the selection of process, machine tool, cutting tool etc. normally needs simple geometry data and non-geometry data of the feature as the input. However, a extended process plan such as the generation of process sequence, operation sequence, jig & fixture, NC program etc. necessarily needs the compound geometry data as well as the simple geometry data and non-geometry data. In this paper, we propose a feature data model according to the result of analyzing necessary data, including the compound geometry data, the simple geometry data and the non-geometry data. Also, an example of the feature data model in milling process planning is described.