Selection of strategy for machining a composite geometric feature

A method comprising:

• obtaining a model of an object to be manufactured via subtractive manufacturing;
• identifying, based on the model, a plurality of geometric features to be machined as part of manufacturing the object, wherein the plurality of geometric features includes a composite geometric feature including a plurality of geometric subfeatures;
• accessing a database including strategies for machining different geometric features of the plurality of geometric features, wherein the database includes a composite strategy for machining the composite geometric feature and separate strategies for machining the respective geometric subfeatures, wherein the database includes data indicating one or more prioritized aspects associated with the composite strategy and the one or more prioritized aspects associated with the strategies for manufacturing the subfeatures;
• obtaining user input indicative of the one or more prioritized aspects of manufacturing of the object, the one or more prioritized aspects including tool life, surface quality, or object manufacturing speed;
• comparing a combined strategy obtained by combining the separate strategies for machining the geometric subfeatures to the composite strategy using the one or more prioritized aspects, so as to obtain a relative ranking between the composite strategy and the combined strategy, wherein the ranking of the composite strategy and the combined strategy is based on said data;
• selecting, from the strategies included in the database, strategies for machining the respective geometric features via the subtractive manufacturing, wherein selecting the composite strategy for machining the composite geometric feature is performed responsive to the composite strategy being ranked higher than the combined strategy;
• responsive to the combined strategy being ranked higher than the composite strategy, selecting the combined strategy for machining the composite geometric feature;
• and
• providing instructions for causing one or more machine tools to manufacture the object in accordance with the selected strategies, wherein the selecting of the strategies, from the strategies included in the database, for machining the respective geometric features via the subtractive manufacturing comprises selecting the composite strategy or the combined strategy for machining the composite geometric feature.