A feature-recognition method based on an holistic attribute adjacency graph is put forward to solve the problems that complex features of aircraft structural parts find difficult to recognize by traditional feature-recognition methods. Extending the attribute's information and adding node types based on a traditional attribute adjacency graph, the method not only represents freeform surfaces and edge features, but also describes geometric information of topology elements precisely and completely. Combining feature recognition based on a graph with that based on hint, the method can deal with feature recognition of freeform surfaces, edge features, intersecting features, and convex features by a uniform algorithm, which virtually performs hint search, hint extension, and feature combination with hints of seed faces. According to the research, an original system has been used in a numerically controlled machining process of integer frame parts in certain large aviation enterprises.

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The aim of this paper is to provide an introduction and overview of recent advances in the key technologies and the supporting computerized systems, and to indicate the trend of research and development in the area of computational numerical control machining. Three main themes of recent research in CNC machining are simulation, optimization and automation, which form the key aspects of *Corresponding author, Email: welcome.li@nuaa.edu.cn 2 intelligent manufacturing in the digital and knowledge based manufacturing era. As the information and knowledge carrier, feature is the efficacious way to achieve intelligent manufacturing. From the regular shaped feature to freeform surface feature, the feature technology has been used in manufacturing of complex parts, such as aircraft structural parts. The authors' latest research in intelligent machining is presented through a new concept of multi-perspective dynamic feature (MpDF), for future discussion and communication with readers of this special issue. The MpDF concept has been implemented and tested in real examples from the aerospace industry, and has the potential to make promising impact on the future research in the new paradigm of intelligent machining. The authors of this paper are the guest editors of this special issue on computational numerical control machining. The guest editors have extensive and complementary experiences in both academia and industry, gained in China, USA and UK.

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