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      <title>Feature-Based Machining Overview</title>
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      <div class="title_topic2" id="xps10_pagetitle">Feature-Based Machining Overview</div>
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               <p class="para_td">Overview</p>
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               <p class="para_td"> <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('mfgholemaking/fbm_using_link_page.html');return(false);">How To</a></p>
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               <p class="para_td"> <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('mfgholemaking/fbm_options_link_page.html');return(false);">Options</a></p>
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               <p class="para_td"> <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('mfgholemaking/fbmach_rel_topic.html');return(false);">Related Topics</a></p>
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      </table><br><p class="para_topic">Feature-Based Machining allows you to automate the process of machining holes and simple milling features. It also performs many of the functions that were previously performed manually by the NC programmer. Automating the process of machining features saves time in the programming and machining process.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">There are several ways to automate this process through: Feature Recognition, Manually Created Features (through Feature Recognition), Feature Identification, and Identification Based on Attributes (Tagged Features).</p>
      <div class="title_division">Feature Recognition</div>
      <p class="para_division">In this method, the machining process finds the machining features by analyzing the part geometry. The designer does not have to use features while creating the part. For more information go to the  <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('mfgholemaking/mach_feat_recog.html');return(false);">Recognition Overview</a> section. 
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      <div class="title_division">Feature Identification</div>
      <p class="para_division">In this method, the designer must use features while creating the part. In NX, User Defined Features (UDFs) and standard features are used for these features. These features are then activated from the Machining Feature Navigator to be identified for the machining process. (This method is often called Design using Manufacturing Features or Design for Manufacturing.)</p>
      <p class="para_division">For more information go to the  <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('mfgholemaking/holem_feat_user_def.html');return(false);">User Defined Features</a> section.
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      <div class="title_division">Identification Based on Attributes</div>
      <p class="para_division">With this method, the NC programmer or designer uses User Defined Attributes (UDAs) to label certain geometry entities such as points, edges, arcs, and cylindrical faces. This way, a non-feature model gets the CAM information that is needed to create a hole making process.</p>
      <p class="para_division">For more information go to the  <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('mfgholemaking/attr_tagging.html');return(false);">Tagging</a> section.
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      <div class="title_division">Machining Features</div>
      <p class="para_division">Machining features are a collection of geometric entities that together define a shape that can be machined in a definable manner. These machining features, when considered together with their associated parameters, provide a plan for manufacturing that type of shape.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Machining Feature Templates</div>
      <p class="para_division">A machining feature template defines the method of machining for a particular type of machining feature. It contains all the information required to identify the machining feature and to accomplish the machining.</p>
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                  <p class="para_note_body"> The primary way of constructing machining features is with UDF's or with Feature Recognition. For the Feature-Based Machining module to run automatically, the part model must be created with the same machining features that are referenced by the CAM templates.</p>
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