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| What is automatic feature recognition (AFR)? |
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| How does it help CAD/CAM integration? |
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| Why do I need to use automatic feature recognition (AFR)? |
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| What are the areas where feature recognition technology can be applied? |
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| What features are recognized by Geometric's AFR? |
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| Can it recognize fillets and chamfers, variable radius fillets and free form fillets? |
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| What about compound holes? Can the hole be non-circular (spline profile)? |
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| What are 2.5D features and 3D features? |
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| Can it recognize all possible features? |
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| What kind of input can be made to AFR? What is the output? How do I use the output? |
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| What happens if AFR cannot recognize all the features in a body? |
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| Can I use the feature information directly? |
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| Does Geometric's AFR directly support any application? |
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| Please outline some typical applications where this technology is being used. |
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| Which companies are currently your customers? |
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| What is the interface available for integration? What support will Geometric provide during integration? |
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| How long does it take to integrate AFR with any application? |
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| What are machinable features? How is it different from form features? |
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| What is the difference between the source and object code license? When do I need to license the source code? |
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| When is the next version planned? What are the features that will be provided in the next version? |
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| Q : What is automatic feature recognition (AFR)? |
| A : Broadly, automatic feature recognition or AFR involves identifying regions of interest. In the context of CAD/CAM and more specifically the design and manufacturing of mechanical engineering parts, it relates to automatic identification of holes, slots, pockets, bosses, fillets, chamfers, compound holes and other relevant features from Geometric solid models. |
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| Q : How does it help CAD/CAM integration? |
| A : Many of the design and manufacturing processes adopted in a company are driven by feature information. If the solid models of a part can provide answers to feature-based queries, these processes can be automated. For example, with feature-based information one can hope to automatically generate CNC instructions from CAD models or drive co-ordinate measuring machines for automated inspection. It is very easy to edit feature-based models and create design variations. |
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| Q : Why do I need to use automatic feature recognition (AFR)? |
A : Automatic feature recognition technology or AFR is essential for the following reasons:
Solid models may not contain feature information. This is the case if models are converted across CAD systems (the feature information is lost during conversion), or if the models were created using older generation CAD systems which did not have feature-based modeling capabilities.
Even if solid models do contain feature information, it may not be appropriate for the task to be performed. For example, models created by a designer would typically contain features created by operations such as sweeps and local modifications; these would not be of direct use to the manufacturing engineer, who would want information about machinable features such as holes, pockets, profiles, etc.
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| Q : What are the areas where feature recognition technology can be applied? |
A :
- Feature-based editing of imported solid models
- Selective feature suppression for FEM analysis
- Automatic process planning and NC code generation
- Manufacturing cost estimation
- Automatic inspection
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| Q : What features are recognized by Geometric's AFR? |
| A : Geometric's AFR can recognize various types of holes, pockets, slots, steps and chamfers. |
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| Q : Can it recognize fillets and chamfers, variable radius fillets and free form fillets? |
| A : Yes, fillets and chamfers are recognized. The recognized fillets include single and variable radius fillets and spline fillets. |
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| Q : What about compound holes? Can the hole be non-circular (spline profile)? |
| A : No. Presently, only various types of counter-sunk and counter-bored holes are recognized specifically as compound holes and these have circular cross-section. |
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| Q : What are 2.5D features and 3D features? |
A : Features, which can be manufactured on a 3-axis milling machine (with only 2-axes simultaneous control at a time) are termed as 2.5D features. Such features include holes and pockets / steps obtained by sweeping a 2D cross section.
Features such as turbine blades, which consist of general spline faces, are termed as 3D features. |
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| Q : Can it recognize all possible features? |
| A : In parts with 2.5D features, many features will be recognized. However, it is impossible to guarantee recognition of all possible features in all parts. |
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