A new feature-based design system with dynamic editing

Abstract

This paper proposes a feature-based design system for prismatic parts in which predefined 3D features, instead of low-level 2D lines and points, are used as entities for representation and manipulation. Two special sets of functions, a new construction function and a dynamic editing function, enable designers to freely construct and modify parts. The parts are saved as feature-based files in CSG form, while a B-rep form is also created. The feature-based file allows the proposed 3D part-design system to be easily integrated into CAPP/CAM systems without complex feature-recognition and -extraction processes. Object-oriented concepts are used in implementing the proposed system, and examples are given to show its feasibility and effectiveness. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.