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Component Pattern Problem

Component Pattern Problem

Component Pattern Problem

(OP)
I have been trying to use component patterns as much as possible to limit the size of my assembly files.  I have a component patterned across a table top.  I would like to space the in the following order.  Letters being the components (all the same) and the number representing the space inbetween each component (measured from the origins).

A-11"-B-9"-C-9"-D-12"-E-12"-F-12"-G-12"-H-12"-I-9"-J-9"-K-11"

Right now I place several parts at A, B, D, I and K.  I patterned B and I together and then patterned D. Is there a way to do this with patterns, or should I just place eleven different instances of the same part in the assembly?  Should I do something like this patterns?

RE: Component Pattern Problem

You may be able to use "feature driven patterns".  Do a help search in SolidWorks for that.  Feature driven patterns are customarily used when inserting hardware into hole wizard holes.  You simply create your pattern using the hole wizard.  Mate your component into the first hole created.  Then do a feature driven pattern using the hole wizard holes as the feature.  The component will be propogate into all the other holes.

You may be able to use this functionality creatively to perfor the task you need.

-Shaggy

RE: Component Pattern Problem

The Hole Wizard in your tabletop part will be a suitable "feature driven pattern" for the assembly *if* you only need one hole to locate each component instance.

If each component instance will require a set of holes, then do this:
1) In your tabletop part create your set of holes and features needed for the first component instance.

2) Next (in your tabletop part) draw a sketch with different segments at you desired dimensioned lengths (i.e. 11, 9, 9, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 9, 9, and 11). The sketch segments must all be in a row. Anchor the first end point to your set of holes and features for the first component instance. Now add a sketch point at each of all the other sketch segment End Points (but not at the first End Point at the first component instance location). So for your example, you should have 11 sketch segments and 11 sketch points.

3)Insert a sketch Drive Pattern in your tabletop part. The  sketch from (2) will drive the pattern of the features created in step (1).

4)In your assembly, mate the first component to the first set of holes.

5) Now do the Insert Feature Driven Pattern, choosing the Sketch Pattern created in (3) as the driving feature. You'll have to make the sketch done in (2) shown, and choose the one sketch segment end point (without a sketch point at it) as the Centroid Point in the Feature Driven Pattern.

Sounds difficult, but it really works pretty slick once you have it figured out.

Ken

RE: Component Pattern Problem

What is the purpose of the sketch segments?
I usually use a construction line & place the points along it?


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

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