A lot of times, we need to set up stock, or gang up parts to do multiple components in one operation. Right now, setting up component patterns and stock for these operations is a manual affair that can be a real PITA, requiring finnicky sketches and often dimensioning off of complex geometry (if say, your parts have curved edges or, god forbid, spline shaped profiles - both are hard to dimension off of).
I would propose a couple of tools to make this easier:
1- Sketch Rectangle To Extents
This would be an addition to the rectangle tool where we open up a sketch and select a component or components. The sketch tool would generate a rectangle offset from the X/Y edges of that component to a specified amount. This is very similar to the algorithms in the CAM side that let us automatically generate a Fixed Size Box for our stock, but this lets us create a solid body (or component) that is tied to our model geometry. There is always more power in setting stock up as a component or body, and this tool would make setting that up far easier.
2- Pattern Components/Space Components With Gap
Often times, we want to machine multiple parts from one piece of stock. Unlike nesting algorithms intended for flat pattern cutting methods, we don't need complex patterns that maximize material use, but we do need to control the gap that exists between components so we can rough/finish machine them. The same complexities of defining a sketch box around a component exist here - we often have spline/curve geometry that requires a lot of sketch heroics to space properly with the right gap. It would be awesome if I could pick a component, and pattern it along X or Y, but be able to select the exact spacing between those components (say, 0.3" so I can do all my work with a .25" end mill). A more advanced version of this tool would let me take two different components, and set a precise gap between them and their bottom faces coplanar.
