Feature Recognition of User-Defined Freeform Features

Abstract

In the past, several methods for feature definition have been proposed, most recently for freeform features. Among these methods are several examples of user-driven feature definition, in which users can define their own feature types. The motivation behind user-defined features is that they can consequently be used in a feature-oriented application. One of these applications is feature recognition, in which parts of an existing shape model are recognized as an instance of a predefined feature type. However, little attention has been paid to making user-defined feature types available for application in feature recognition. This paper proposes a basic user-driven feature definition method and shows how features defined using this method can be used in a feature recognition procedure. This enables users to recognize any features on any target shape, providing that they can be defined using the proposed method. At the same time, the link between user-defined features and feature recognition helps to keep the set of predefined features, the feature library, small.

Keywords:

• Freeform feature
• user-defined features
• feature recognition
• feature-based modeling
• feature library
• feature taxonomy