A form features automatic recognition system

The authors present a prototype of an expert system for the automatic recognition of form features. The paper points out how the recognition activity is a useful tool to realize the integration of design activities with manufacturing, handling, assembling etc. The concept on which the system is based is the possibility to utilize, in processes from the design to the manufacturing of a mechanical part, a common model for solid model representation and a set of tools which permits in different contexts, the extraction of information useful to carry out the activities within the considered context. The system is characterized by a rule-based architecture that allows great flexibility and is easily adapted to different contexts. The solid representation model is of the B-rep type while for rules´ formalization a particular rewriting system, called caIL (Conditional Attributed Lindenmayer system with Interaction), has been adopted. In particular in this paper the grasping context is pointed out.<>