Feature conversion based on decomposition and combination of swept volumes

In this paper, an approach is proposed for converting design features into machining features based on decomposition and combination of swept volumes. In the approach, delta volumes between a negative swept volume and a positive swept volume, which are directly generated from original design features, are decomposed into a set of smaller negative swept volumes first. Then, the negative swept volumes are combined to form maximal swept features, each of which represents a set of machining features with the same cutting-paths. Since sweeping is a common characteristic of different type features, the maximal swept features can serve as an intermediate representation for the different types of feature-based models; in particular, they can be conveniently converted into milling features or turning features, common features or user-specific features, and their alternatives. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.