Feature Recognition extracts features and their parameters from solid models.

This is a pioneering, state-of-the-art technology from Geometric with more than 50 man-years of research and development. Feature Recognition extracts features and their parameters from solid models. It finds applications in modeling, design, finite element analysis, machining, process planning and cost estimation.

Feature recognition is the ability to automatically or interactively identify and group topological entities, such as faces in a boundary representation (B-rep) solid model, into functionally significant features such as holes, slots, pockets, fillets, ribs, etc. The features that are not recognized automatically can be recognized using the interactive feature recognition facilities.

In short, Feature Recognition makes smart solids out of dumb solids! This information is then used in downstream applications.

Need for Feature Recognition

• Feature Recognition is needed for intelligent re-use of CAD data by downstream applications. The following points highlight the need for this technology in CAD/ CAM/ CAE/ PDM applications:
• There is no industry standard for feature definition and storage (or, rather, no industry standard has gained widespread support amongst CAD/ CAM/ CAE/ PDM vendors)
• There exists a large pool of legacy solid models without feature information. These models cannot be meaningfully used in the new generation solid modelers, as they cannot be easily edited without Feature Recognition
• The interpretation of features may be different across different applications. For example, a design feature and a manufacturing feature may not be designed in the same manner. Hence, there may be a need to recognize the feature in a different application domain
• In the CAE domain, such as finite element analysis (FEA), there exists the need to recognize and suppress unwanted features and speed up the analysis process