Free-form CAD model retrieval approach for engineering reuse based on local feature segmentation

For engineering applications, an innovative design can be developed by reusing and modifying existing models with similar features and manufacturing properties, and accurately searching CAD models has become a valuable knowledge acquisition technique in product design. Although there are many retrieval technologies, most methods focus on the global shape of models. In this paper, a CAD model retrieval framework based on local feature segmentation is proposed, offering users a free-form way to choose any subpart as a query from a given model. First, a novel model segmentation method based on the vertex-neighbor extension is proposed to divide a target CAD model into overlapping local features. The chosen subpart with arbitrary boundaries is also successfully described for retrieval by combining local features. Then, a composite descriptor considering both shapes and attribute characteristics is established, which is proved effective for distinguishing local features. Finally, the problem of matching free-form queries to CAD models in the dataset is transformed into descriptor set measurement and is implemented using the bag-of-word algorithm. The proposed model retrieval approach outperforms many existing approaches in matching performance and provides a user-friendly query mode.(c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.