Feature Recognition is a state-of-the-art patented technology from Geometric with more than 100 man-years of research and development. Feature Recognition extracts a wide range of features from solid models and finds applications throughout the product lifecycle like modeling, finite element analysis, machining, inspection, process planning and cost estimation. FR from geometric is the most preferred feature recognition engine, selected by leading CAD/CAM vendors, as FR provides high quality, easy to use API interface and cost-effective to implement.
Feature based design received strong emphasis from the industry, with the aim to utilize feature data in downstream design and manufacturing applications. The time invested in developing parametric feature based designs is expected to have significant pay-offs in such automation. However, feature based design systems employ form/design features rather than manufacturing features, due to which further feature inference is often required for specific applications. Also, in contract manufacturing firms, majority of designs are imported geometry in neutral formats, where valuable feature information is lost. The model is generally received as a dumb solid and editing the model or inferring feature information for downstream applications becomes difficult. Further when a model designed in feature based CAD platforms has to be ported in other tools like analysis softwares or manufacturing softwares, etc., the model is often loaded in neutral formats, which is again a dumb model.
Geometric’s Feature Recognition technology helps to develop a smart, parametric feature based models from imported B-Rep solids. Feature Recognition breathes life into 3D CAD (solid) models and catalyses data re-use and interoperability.
Geometric’s FR technology automatically identifies features from 3D models. It provides feature tree information and respective feature parameters, parent-child relationship in case of intersecting features and alternate interpretations of features. Features that are not recognized automatically are recognized using an optional interactive feature recognition mode. FR also supports local feature recognition where features from a particular region are identified. Further, it supports user-defined features. FR consists of three different libraries; namely, Design View FR, Manufacturing View FR and Sheet Metal FR.
Design view FR extracts design features from dumb models to facilitate model editing and to create variant designs. It can automatically identify various design features such as holes (simple, taper, counter-bore, counter-sunk, counter-drill, split holes, hole-chains), fillets, chamfers, extrudes (drafted, cut, boss), revolves (cut, boss) ribs, drafts, lofts and sweeps. FR facilitates recognition and suppression of features. During analysis, suppression of certain features like, fillets, chamfers and small holes can easily be done with feature data from FR. This helps to improve the mesh quality and to reduce analysis time. With feature data from FR, dimensioning can be automated and further it facilitates Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing.
Manufacturing view FR extracts manufacturing features and provides information suitable for downstream applications like CNC code generation, machining sequence generation, process planning, inspection planning, etc. It extracts a variety of features that can be processed by Milling, Turning, Mill-Turn and WireEDM. List of manufacturing features identified include holes (simple, taper, counter-bore, counter-sunk, counter-drill, split holes and hole-chains), hole patterns (linear, rectangular and circular), fillets, chamfers, pockets (blind, through, drafted, filleted and chamfered), slots (simple, drafted, filleted and chamfered), islands, machinable volumes, machinable slabs, intersecting features, external turned profiles, internal turned profiles, turned grooves (filleted, chamfered, vee, radius and dovetail), slots and pocket in turned profiles (mill-turn). Feature data from FR helps to use standard machining cycles in CNC code generation for drilling, counter-sinking, counter-boring, pocket machining, etc. It is also helpful to identify and cluster the features to be machined in a particular setup. The parent child relationship of features from FR further helps to determine the machining sequence to be adopted. It also helps to minimize the number of setups required. FR can be used to identify inspection features, which can be helpful in probe movement programming and inspection planning. With feature data from FR, design checks such as use of standard hole sizes, minimum distance between various features, etc., can be ensured. Such checks help to avoid costly design errors which are difficult to tackle during manufacturing. Features that are costly to manufacture can also be easily identified using FR, which can be helpful in cost optimization. FR data can be further used for manufacturing cost estimation.
Sheet Metal FR extracts features from a sheet metal perspective along with unfolding. It can also handle Tramoggia flattening. Various features identified include walls, bends, holes, counter-sunk, counter-bore, flanged holes, cutouts, flanged cutouts, notches, flanges (open hem, closed hem, teardrop hem, roll hem, jog flange, edge flange, contour flange), stamps (louver, lance, bridge, dimple, bead)and ribs. For sheet metal models, FR helps to edit models for creating variant designs and to create flat patterns. Feature data is useful in selecting tools required for specific features, tool availability checking, design for manufacturing, determining the punching sequence to be adopted, determining an optimal bending sequence and cost estimation.
- Recognizes features automatically and generates feature tree
- Provides parent-child relationship for intersecting features
- Provides alternate interpretation of features
- Provides control to recognize features interactively or on a local region
- Supports standard and user-defined features
- Supports kernels including Parasolid (V18, V19, V20), ACIS (R16, R17, R18)
- Supports CAD APIs like SolidWorks (2008, 2009), CATIA V5
- Is available as 32 bit and 64 bit Static Library and DLL
Benefits
- Facilitates integration of CAD and
- Enhances interoperability, recreates design intent, and improves process automation thereby reducing time-to-market
- Improves productivity with minimal manual intervention
- Enables automatic recognition of machinable features
- Reduces errors in G-code generation through feature based machining
- Provides scalability for varied component manufacturing
- Allows 3D data reusability throughout product development
