Mechanical parts are often grouped into part families based on the similarity of their shapes, to support efficient manufacturing process planning and design modification. This paper presents a similarity assessment technique to support part family classification for machined parts. It exploits the multiple feature decompositions obtained by the feature recognition method using convex decomposition. Convex decomposition provides a hierarchical volumetric representation of a part, organized in an outside-in hierarchy. It provides local accessibility directions, which supports abstract and qualitative similarity assessment. It is converted to a Form Feature Decomposition (FFD), which represents a part using form features intrinsic to the shape of the part. This supports abstract and qualitative similarity assessment using positive feature volumes. FFD is converted to Negative Feature Decomposition (NFD), which represents a part as a base component and negative machining features. This supports a detailed, quantitative similarity assessment technique that measures the similarity between machined parts and associated machining processes implied by two parts’ NFDs. Features of the NFD are organized into branch groups to capture the NFD hierarchy and feature interrelations. Branch groups of two parts’ NFDs are matched to obtain pairs, and then features within each pair of branch groups are compared, exploiting feature type, size, machining direction, and other information relevant to machining processes.
