Pattern a bolt pattern along a circular sheet metal body

DustinMendoza — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 20:47:57 GMT

Id like to see if someone could give me some tips or best practice for doing this. You can see i am trying to pattern two sets of bolt patterns around a "circular" formed sheet metal body. The spacing isnt really critical nor is the "cant" of the actual bolt holes (they are well oversized). Normally id use sketch blocks, and create a sketch on many of the faces of these lofted flanges. It can be quite time consuming.. When i try to use the circular pattern of feature command, it works.. but it doesnt actually cut the holes all the way through..

Any suggestions, or even a better solution?

Re: Pattern a bolt pattern along a circular sheet metal body

johnsonshiue — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 21:41:13 GMT

Hi! This can be done by using Rectangular Pattern (select a path curve as the direction). Simply create a 3D sketch and included the bottom edges of the Lofted Flange (from the panel with the first set of holes). Then use Rectangular Pattern command, select the 3D sketch as the direction, and give the desirable distance and number of instances.

Many thanks!

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Pattern a bolt pattern along a circular sheet metal body

Re: Pattern a bolt pattern along a circular sheet metal body