2009

Creating Pattern Features
Many designs call for the repetitive use of one or more features on a single
part. Single features or groups of features can be duplicated and arranged in
patterns. A pattern feature is a rectangular, circular, or mirrored duplication
of features or groups of features. Individual occurrences in a pattern can be
suppressed, as necessary. An example of a pattern feature is a rectangular
pattern of identical holes cut from a calculator case.
NOTE Features that you can pattern include part features, surface features, and
assembly features.
The pattern tools require reference geometry to define the pattern. You can
create patterns using the Rectangular Pattern, Circular Pattern, and Mirror
Feature tools. You can set the number of occurrences in the pattern, the angular
spacing between occurrences, and the direction of the repetition.
Pattern creation methods include:
All occurrences use an identical termination.Identical
The termination of each occurrence is calculated indi-
vidually.
Adjust to Model
Creates a copy and reproduces faces instead of features.
Optimizes patterns for faster calculation.
Optimized
You can suppress components in a component pattern without removing
them from the assembly. It makes it easy to replace parts and to create unique
members in assemblies.
Rectangular Patterns
Features can be duplicated and arrayed in a rectangular or circular pattern. In
the first part of this exercise, you create a single hole and then use it to add a
rectangular pattern of holes to a plastic cover plate. You also complete an
exercise that uses a circular pattern.
The following is an illustration of the completed exercises.
90 | Chapter 4 Creating and Editing Placed Features