Inventor Patterns - Why use the expanded pattern options?

By Jennifer MacMillan

I recently was working on incorporating a little more complexity into the Autodesk Inventor 2013 Introduction to Solid Modeling training guide for Rectangular and Circular patterns and thought I would share what I came up with.

The standard options for Rectangular and Circular patterns generally provide you with the required patterned results; however, the following situation is one that I came across lately that required using the expanded additional options hidden at the bottom of the pattern dialog box. Previously we only covered this lightly in our advanced level class and I decided to move it into the introductory level training guide and I incorporated the use of this model as an exercise in the training guide.

 

 

1. Create a sketch that will be used as the curve that the pattern will follow.
   
   
   
2. Create a sketch to represent the circular extrude.
   
3. Create an Extrude feature using the circular sketch to remove material from the model.
4. Create a Work Point on the point that was created in Step 2.
5. In the Pattern panel, click .
6. Click and . Select the circular extrude.
7. Click and select the curve created in Step 1. Ensure the entire curve is selected, not just a single entity.
8. Enter 20 next to for Direction 1.
9. For Direction 1, expand the Spacing drop-down list and select Curve Length. The preview reveals an incorrect pattern.
10. Click to expand dialog box options.
11. Click  in the Direction 1 area.
12. Select the Work Point created in Step 4 as the reference for the Start Direction. This sets the start point for the first patterned occurrence.
13. In the Orientation area, select Direction1 to ensure that the orientation of the patterned holes follows the tangent vector of the curve that was selected as the Direction1 reference.
14. Complete the pattern.
    

As you can see by using the additional options I was able to create the pattern that I needed. Without setting these options the extrude feature would not have followed the tangent vector of the curve at the work point. These options are great to use when the surface that is being patterned on is not planar. Have Fun experimenting with these options! Hope that you like the addition to the Autodesk Inventor 2013 Introduction to Solid Modeling training guide. Be sure and come back and read my next Blog that will provide a high-level summary on the other new things that we introduced into the 2013 Inventor training guides.