Aiming at the problems of inefficiency

irregularity and complicated operation in NC programming of aero-engine centrifugal impeller

a fast programming mechanism based on feature as processing unit is proposed

which includes recognition of machining features

automatic analysis of feature dimensions

automatic creation of blanks

automatic formulation of processing routes

automatic optimization and setting of cutting parameters

and generation of original tool path files. Using UG secondary development technology

an automatic programming prototype system is developed. The application examples and numerical simulation results show that the programming efficiency of the prototype system is improved by more than 60%

and the quality of programming is also guaranteed

which proves the practicability of the prototype system.