Automated feature validation for creating/editing feature-based component data models

In a feature-based design system, it is necessary to check if a feature is valid (i.e. dimensions and class are proper) before adding it to the component model, and to detect if there will be any changes in the existing features which interact with it. The same applies to an existing feature to be modified and its interacting features when editing a feature model. This ensures a precise feature model of component design for the downstream applications. It is a commendable goal to automate the process of feature validation, which in turn increases the system’s capability and intelligence, thus reducing the requirement on the designer’s effort. This paper presents a Boolean operation-based systematic methodology of automating feature validation by checking feature dimensions and class, respectively. It briefly introduces a feature-based component data model (FBCDM) suitable for process planning and NC programming, and then discusses in detail the problem of feature validation and the algorithms of feature validation for creating/editing FBCDMs.