A single representation to support assembly and process planning in feature-based design machined parts

Abstract

The need for a product model that can support the modelling requirements of a broad range of applications leads to the application of a feature-based model within a computer aided design environment. An important requirement in feature-based design for manufacture is that a single feature representation should be capable of concurrently supporting a number of different applications. Assembly and process planning are seen as two crucial manufacturing applications and a formal structure for their representation in a feature-based design system is presented. This research addresses two basic questions relating to the lack of a unified definition for features and the establishment of a feature-based representation for assembly. Thus the concept of designing with features is extended by incorporating assembly and process planning information with the geometrical and topological details of component parts. A prototype system has been implemented using an object-oriented programming technique which provides a convenient method for adding functionality to the geometric reasoning process of features and the complex relationships between the parts that make up the assembly. The feature-based model is embedded in the ACIS object-oriented solid modeller kernel.

Keywords

feature-based design product model assembly process planning

References

Mantyla

Directions for research in product modelling In Computer Applications in Production and Engineering(Eds Kimura

Rostaldas

), IFIP, 1989 (Elsevier Science Publishers).

Rembold

Nnaji

B.O.

Storr

Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering, 1993 (Addison-Wesley).

Krause

F.L.

Kimura

Kjellberg

S. C. Y.

Product modelling. Ann. CIRP, 1993, 42(2), 695–706.

Bonney

M.C.

Taylor

N. K.

Case

Using computer-aided design and expert systems for human work- place design. In Geometric Reasoning (Ed. Woodwark

), 1989, pp. 269–282 (Clarendon Press, Oxford).

Clark

A.L.

South

N.E.

Feature-based design of mechanical parts. In Proceedings of AUTOFACT '87, Michigan, 1987 (SME).

Shah

J.J.

Sreevalsan

Rogers

Billo

Mathew

Current status of features technology. Revised Report, Computer-Aided Manufacturing-International, Inc., Texas, November 1988.

van Emmerik

M.J.G.M.

Jansen

F.W.

User interface for feature modelling. In Computer Applications in Production and Engineering (Eds Kimura

Rostaldas

), IFIP, 1989, pp. 625–632 (Elsevier Science Publishers).

Chen

Y.M.

Miller

R.A.

Vemuri

K.R.

A framework for feature-based part modelling. Trans. ASME, Computers in Engng, 1991, 1, 357–365.

Gui

J.K.

Mantyla

Functional understanding of assembly modelling. Computer-Aided Des., 1994, 26, 435–451.

10.

Pratt

M.J.

Application of feature recognition in the product life-cycle. Int. J. Computer Integrated Mfg, 1993, 6(1 and 2), 13–19.

11.

Case

Gao

Feature technologyâan overview. Int. J. Computer Integrated Mfg, 1993, 6(1 and 2), 2–12.

12.

Krause

F.L.

Ulbrich

Vosgerau

F.H.

Feature- based approach for the integration of design and process planning systems. In Product Modelling for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (Eds Turner ), IFIP, 1991 (Elsevier Science Publishers).

13.

Gindy

N.N.Z.

Huang

Ratchev

T.M.

Feature-based component model for computer-aided process planning systems. Int. J. Computer Integrated Mfg, 1993, 6(1 and 2), 20–26.

14.

Corbett

Woodward

J.P.J.

A CAD-integrated knowledge-based system for the design of die cast components. Ann. CIRP, 1991, 40(1), 103–105.

15.

Al-Ashaab

A.H.S.

Young

R.I.M.

Design for injection moulding in a manufacturing model environment. J. Des. and Mfg, 1995, (5), 45–54.

16.

DeFazio

T.L.

A prototype of feature-based design for assembly. In Advances in Design Automation, 1990, Vol. 1, DE-Vol 23-l, pp. 9–16 (American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York).

17.

Wang

H.P.

J. K.

Computer-Aided Process Planning, 1991 (Elsevier, Netherlands).

18.

ElMaraghy

H.A.

ElMaraghy

W.H.

Computer-aided inspection planning (CAIP). In Advances in Feature-Based Manufacturing (Eds Shah

J. J.

Mantyla

Nau

D. S.

) 1994, pp. 363–396 (Elsevier).

19.

Nieminen

Tuomi

Design with features for manufacturing cost analysis. In Product Modelling for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (Eds Turner ), IFIP, 1991, pp. 317–330 (Elsevier Science Publishers).

20.

Case

Acar

B.S.

Learning studies in the use of computer aided design systems for discrete-parts manufacture. Behaviour and Inf. Technol., 1989, 8(5), 353–368.

21.

Case

Using a design by features CAD system for process capability modelling. Computer Integrated Mfg Systems, 1994, 7(1), 39–49.

22.

Gindy

N.N.Z.

A hierarchical structure for form features. Int. J. Prod. Res., 1989, 27, 2089–2103.

23.

Gindy

N.N.Z.

Case

Ratchev

T.M.

Gao

Process capability models for design and selection of processing equipment. In Proceedings of Design and Integrated Production (EPSRC) Research Conference, University of Warwick, 7–9 September 1994, pp. 7–12.

24.

Gindy

N.N.Z.

Ratchev

T.M.

Case

Component grouping for GT applicationsâa fuzzy clustering approach with validity measure. Int. J. Prod. Res., 1995, 33(9), 2493–2509.

25.

Usher

J.M.

An object-oriented approach to product modelling for manufacturing systems. Computers and Ind. Engng, 1993, 25(1–4), 557–560.

26.

Zeid

CAD/CAM Theory and Practice, 1991 (McGraw-Hill, New York).

27.

Libardi

E.C.

Dixon

J.R.

Simmons

M.K.

Computer environment for the design of mechanical assemblies: A research review. Engng With Computers, 1988, (3), 121–136.

28.

Wang

Ozsoy

T.M.

Automatic generation of tolerance chains from mating relations represented in assembly models. Trans. ASME, Adv. in Des. Automn, 1990, 1, 227–233.

29.

Lee

Gossard

D.C.

A hierarchical structure for representing assemblies: Part 1. Computer Aided Des., 1985, 17(1), 15–19.