Pattern instance along complex curve
Pattern instance along complex curve
(OP)
Here's another challange for the UG experts. I have an s-curve projected onto a compound surface. I'm trying to create a feature pattern (in this case, 5 dimpled cuts) that follow the s-curve. The instance command does not allow for such a function, does it? Or do I have to make them all individually?





RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product "Evangelist"
NX Product Line
UGS Corp
Cypress, CA
RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
Alternately, you could 'group' the feature(s) and array the group...
Regards,
SS
CAD should pay for itself, shouldn't it?
RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
Grouping the features and array the group still doesn't allow the group to follow along a specified path.
With Pro/E, I can constrain the feature(s) on a curve. Then all you do is offset a driving dimension and enter the number of features and voila, done. Was just hoping UG had something like that.
RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
John's suggestion will work, but you have no option for placing/positioning each copy as you paste it....they all paste on top of one another (at least in NX3 they do) then you have to reposition each feature one at a time.
Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.
www.enkei.com
RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
Thanks.
RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product "Evangelist"
NX Product Line
UGS Corp
Cypress, CA
RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
UGS is in the process of changing arrays as well as transformations (similar to arraying in a sense), starting with NX5.
Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.
www.enkei.com
RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
That sounds encouraging. I've used PTC for 8 years and UG for 1-2. I have to say I haven't found many areas where PTC is better. Overall UG is a much nicer system to work with and is now my default system rather than PTC.
I'm looking forward to seeing how things develop.
RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
RE: Pattern instance along complex curve
I don't know if UG has implemented a parametric Point Set functionality. It seems that UG never considered points as important types of Datums because there is no Datum Point like Pro/E. I've found that the Sketcher's associative point feature gives the best way to create a series of equally spaced points on a curve parametricly.
If you created your associative points in a sketch after the projected S curve you can create your 5 points and add relations in the Expression Editor.
You could then create a datum for the revolved dimple cut which references the first point and is normal to the S-curve. Then you could use the copy-paste functionality and choose prompt for references option. Depending on which feature you copy you'll be prompted to choose references for the children of the copied feature such as your sketch datum or reference point and the child features will be created when you select the proper references.
I'll be glad to see the day UGS makes Patterning by references like the pattern surface option has been able to do.
Michael