Group technology classification from feature-based geometric models

The design and implementation of a system for Group Technology (GT) coding from feature-based solid models is discussed. The system consists of a feature modeling shell for design by features and a feature mapping shell for transforming design features to application-specific features. The authors have written about the modeling and mapping shells previously; this paper focuses on methods for formalizing geometric reasoning for GT coding and building a GT knowledge base using the generic mapping shell. The study presupposes that a part definition is already available in terms of features, but the combination in which features occur, their juxtaposition, and hierarchy are not known. Taxonomy codes are assigned to generic features in order to pass the meaning of these features from design to GT. The taxonomy code contains information on major characteristics such as-whether the feature is external or internal, axisymmetric or prismatic, and so on.