Feature models for design and manufacturing

The authors describe work in feature modeling at the Helsinki University of Technology. Described are three experimental software systems dealing with parametric design of mechanical parts, modeling of mechanical assemblies, and generative process planning of prismatic parts for three-axis milling. The authors conclude that the synthesized features and feature taxonomy form a good basis for linking manufacturing information with design data. The software techniques are flexible enough to allow the addition of new types of operations and knowledge as new applications and modules are created