Feature Design Based on Design for Manufacturing and Automatic Generation of Process Drawings

Definitions of feature node and in-process model are put forward. With these concepts analysis of model feature tree can be performed and mapping of feature nodes to in-process models can be realized. Based on these, some process drawings can be obtained through feature roll-back. On this basis, some constraints in design for manufacturing are brought forward. Under these constraints, features in the model tree can be refined so that there are enough feature nodes to ensure mappings from the feature nodes to in-process models and then all the process drawings can be generated. This process can be used to generate drawings of all kinds for parts and assemblies and not just the axial parts. As a way of realization, the automatic generation system is thus developed based on Pro/E. Relevant drawings for a non-axial part and a sub-assembly are generated.