Help with parametric pattern & combine

[keithd]

Within a component I'm patterning a body into, say, 10 instances. But the 10 is really parametric, i.e., the number of instances is computed from other parameters. This seems to work fine.

The problem is that for a further operation(s) on the resulting patterned bodies, I need to treat all of them as one entity. The convenient way to do this is to "Combine" all the bodies into a single body for the downstream operation.

But I can't find any way to make the selection of the patterned bodies parametric. For example, if I pattern the initial body and it turns out to create 10 bodies, I then go in and select bodies 1 through 10 manually, and execute the "Combine" operation. The problem, is that if I later change a dimension that creates a different number of bodies, only the 10 of the original selection get Combined as that is what the Combine operation in the timeline says to do.

What I need is some way to select all the bodies in the Bodies folder, no matter how many bodies are in it. Or some other way to make the "Combine" operation parametric.

Does anyone know of any way to do this?

Note, I know I don't really need to "Combine" all the bodies into one. But the problem remains if I want to treat all the patterned bodies, regardless of how many are created, as a single entity in a future operation, such as slicing them off at an angle with a construction plane. In the particular example I'm working on, I'm modeling a corrugated sheet metal wall. The most convenient and intuitively correct thing to do is combine the patterned bodies (which are repeated instances of one corrugation) into a single body that represents a full panel or a wall, the dimensions of which are parameters.

Thanks,

--

Keith

[guardian_de]

Maybe I'm missing something, but this only works if the generated items overlap each other. For example, if I increase the distance to 200 mm I get a total of 5 bodies.

[TrippyLighting]

Please share your model in .f3d format, so we can evaluate it and suggest possible solutions.

[manu.weyers]

Same topic, no solution seen up to now ?...
pattern-copies-do-not-join-automatically-why 

[manu.weyers]

Yes, it has been reported before : open case a checkbox on the pattern properties would be wonderful 

[guardian_de]

Take the file from message #18, edit the pattern feature and set the distance to 200 mm. This will give you 5 bodies instead of 1.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@guardian_de wrote:

Take the file from message #18, edit the pattern feature and set the distance to 200 mm. This will give you 5 bodies instead of 1.

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@guardian_de 

Can you explain the logic of how in the real world 5 disjointed bodies should be 1?

[manu.weyers]

If i accept this pattern i end up with 3 bodies! If there was a merge checkbox available when the bodies touches to merge them into 1 body it would be wonderful.

[TrippyLighting]

It isn't clear who you are replying to. Please don't use the quick-reply on the bottom of a thread. Instead reply to a specific post. 

[guardian_de]

Sure - I want to create a honeycomb grid for ventilation. For this I want to create a boolean difference between the grey hexagons and the blue body. For this I need to select all bodies from the pattern. When I change the parameters of the pattern, create more hexagons, I have to change the difference operation to also include the new hexagons. This does not allow for automatic adjusting without manual intervention. I the pattern (grey objects) would create a single body it would work.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@guardian_de 

You are using incorrect technique to create a honeycomb pattern.

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

[guardian_de]

Hmm... I think I just found out that Fusion will never create a single body from two or more bodies if you combine objects which do not overlap. This makes patterns and parametrization tedious and manual.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@guardian_de wrote:

 This makes patterns and parametrization tedious and manual.

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Where did you get this information?

I just showed a fully parametric honeycomb pattern from a single Rectangular Pattern Feature.

Enter any desired value (make it based on a formula if desired).

[guardian_de]

@TheCADWhisperer 

This looks good! Can you please share the *.f3d for this?

I've attached an example to illustrate what I want to achieve. It probably uses a similar technique to what you did. Is there a way to automatically adjust the grid if you increase the width or height in the user parameters?

[guardian_de]

@TheCADWhispererIgnore my last problem. Of course I can calculate the rows and cols to make the pattern fill the inner area depending on width and height.

Can you please still share your model for the honeycomb? Many thanks!

[TheCADWhisperer]

@guardian_de 

The Attached example should give you some ideas.

You would have to add a parameter to make the number of instances vary by the Width and Height by integer values.

The trick is setting the Axis orientations and overbuild (as though you are cutting your desired size from a large sheet of screen).

[manu.weyers]

Hello,

I think he meant you do a 1 time perforation (feature) and then replay it using the pattern (feature) tool.

[manu.weyers]

Ok, sorry

But my question on the parametric number of copies and the having the option of the merge connected bodies is useful, otherwise , when changing the parameter , you have to manually redo the join feature!

[manu.weyers]

[manu.weyers]

more like yours ...

[manu.weyers]

The pattern axes selection is subtle. 👌