A forward and automatic method for in-process model generation is proposed and integrated with three-dimensional computer aided process planning (CAPP) system. The method based on feature cutter volume of manufacturing drives the in-process model to evolve from blank to part, which is coincident with the manufacturing process and ideology of process design. At the same time, technology of What-if Alternative Value Engineering (WAVE) is implanted in the generation to establish the relationship

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... in-process models, which supports function of the automatic update for models. The paper introduces a theory of the solution to demonstrate the connection between manufacture feature and feature cutter volume, and detailedly presents the technological process in applying the WAVE technology. Examples are completed in a commercial CAPP system to illustrate the feasibility of this approach. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. XQUHVWULFWHG XVH Article available at