Recognition of multi-axis milling features: Part II - Algorithms & implementation

This two-part paper describes general purpose methods for recognizing both simple and complex features; the latter may have freeform faces that may require 4 or 5 axis machining. The major impediment to recognition of complex features has been the difficulty in generalizing the characteristics of their shape. Part I of this paper presented features in terms of geometric and topological characteristics. This part of the paper (Part II) demonstrates how the characterization and classification developed in Part I can be used in automatic feature recognition. The paper presents algorithms for Cut-Thru, Cut-Around, and all types of Cut-On features, namely Open-surface, Open-Cavity and Closed-Cavity. A modular and progressive approach is implemented to keep the process planner involved in decisions about setups, tool approach, and fixturing. Data collected from several case studies is included.