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Is it possible to pattern a part along a path?

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Message 1 of 8
jc.alonso
6518 Views, 7 Replies

Is it possible to pattern a part along a path?

Hi all,

 

I'm modeling a few bridges that most of them share the same kind of handrail. I have modeled the vertical support of the handrail as an independent part and I would like to use it in several models. The problem is, as far as I know, there is no way to pattern along a path into an assembly, so I guess I should do it into another part. Am I right? I don't know which would be a good workflow to do this since I don't really now how to correctly place the vertical support part into another part that contains the reference lines where the handrail should be placed.

 

Any tip will be much appreciated!

 

Thank you very much.

 

 

7 REPLIES 7
Message 2 of 8
JDMather
in reply to: jc.alonso

Yes, you can pattern a component along path in assembly.

 

First create a curve driven pattern of points in a part file.

 

Attach your assembly here if you can't figure it out.

 

http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/SkillsUSA%20University.pdf


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Message 3 of 8
jc.alonso
in reply to: JDMather

Thank you very much! That is what I was looking for! 

 

Just to make it a bit more complicated... Would it be a way to make all supports rotate with the curve while remaning their vertical axis aligned with the global vertical axis? If you see these images (taken from a plan view) you can guess the problem.

 

The first support is orthogonal to the horizontal projection of the 3D curve:

 

First.png

 

 

Whenever the line changes its direction, the support stops being perpendicular:

 

middle.png

 

I know it is possible to mark the option "Directional" when creating the rectangular pattern but since the curve is not horizontal, this doesn´t work very well. If I turn on this option, the supports are no longer vertical.

 

Please, find attached the files used to test this.

 

Thank you very much for your help.

 

 

Message 4 of 8
JDMather
in reply to: jc.alonso

It is difficult for me to tell where you are going with this, but -

 

Edit the Rectangular Pattern in the PathGuides part.

Expand the dialog box and set Orientation to Direction1 as shown.

Direction 1.PNG

Save the file.

 

In the assembly file click Rebuild.

 

BTW - have you installed all Service Packs and Updates for your version of Inventor?


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Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 Certified Professional
Certified SolidWorks Professional


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Message 5 of 8
jc.alonso
in reply to: JDMather

Thanks again for your help.

 

This is what I was talking about before. I can´t turn that option on because it doesn´t work in this case. The following picture shows what is happening (it is the same object and the same point of view than the second picture in the message above).

 

Direction1.png

 

Since the path isn´t contained in an horizontal plane, the Direction1 on makes the supporting elements to rotate in both directions and I want them to be vertical and rotate just around their vertical axe. Hopefully this makes sense.

 

And yes, I installed all updates last week.

 

Thank you very much.

Message 6 of 8
transpacbe
in reply to: JDMather

Hi JD,

 

The link seems to be broken to the pdf.

I am looking to do the same thing, pattern handrail truss components along a spline curve.

I made a component with a sketch curve and a work point, which was patterned along the sketch curve.

 

I'm not sure if this feature patten should be selectable at the assembly level, but it's not working for me so far.

 

Again, I'm not sure if this is the way you explained it in your pdf.

 

Thanks,

Ben

Message 7 of 8
JDMather
in reply to: transpacbe

Try this link

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-general-discussion/skillsusa-document-now-on-screencast/m-p/5...


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Autodesk Inventor 2019 Certified Professional
Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 Certified Professional
Certified SolidWorks Professional


The CADWhisperer YouTube Channel


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Message 8 of 8
transpacbe
in reply to: JDMather

Wow, awesome. Great job on the videos!

Thanks JD!

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