  In machining feature recognition, geometric elements generated in a
three-dimensional computer-aided design model are identified. This technique is
used in manufacturability evaluation, process planning, and tool path
generation. Here, we propose a method of recognizing 16 types of machining
features using descriptors, often used in shape-based part retrieval studies.
The base face is selected for each feature type, and descriptors express the
base face's minimum, maximum, and equal conditions. Furthermore, the similarity
in the three conditions between the descriptors extracted from the target face
and those from the base face is calculated. If the similarity is greater than
or equal to the threshold, the target face is determined as the base face of
the feature. Machining feature recognition tests were conducted for two test
cases using the proposed method, and all machining features included in the
test cases were successfully recognized. Also, it was confirmed through an
additional test that the proposed method in this study showed better feature
recognition performance than the latest artificial neural network.
