Abstract: Form features of aircraft structural parts are usually inspected by coordinate measuring machines. In order to inspect complex form features of aircraft structural parts and extend the scope of form features which can be inspected, a neutral framework for form feature definition and a generic algorithm for feature recognition based on the framework were studied. Then an intelligent measuring point distribution algorithm driven by inspection knowledge was proposed. Finally an algorithm combining clustering and improved simulated annealing algorithm was designed for optimizing measuring orientations. Thus intelligent inspection planning based on user-defined feature and inspection knowledge was realized. This technique has been applied in the manufacturing process of several major aviation products, and significantly improved the efficiency and intelligent level of aircraft structural part inspection planning.

Key words: computer-aided inspection planning, feature recognition, measuring point distribution, measuring orientation optimization