We use Solidworks with the HSM add-in.
I have a 5 axis part which I mill batches of 25 at a time in a curcular pattern with one unit at the center, 8 units around the center part, and an additional 16 units around the outside. Currently I create the program for the part in the middle of the circular pattern, then I have to create two duplicates bodies which I then use to create two additional duplicate programs for. Once I have these three programs I can do a circular pattern for #2 program to get the first circular pattern of 8, and then I can use the #3 program to create a circular pattern for the remaining 16 on the outside.
It would be a massive time saver if I could simple do a linear pattern of the first part, then do a circular pattern of that linear pattern to get the 8 and the 16 respectively. It appears as though I cannot do a Pattern of a Pattern however. Is this true, or is there some way to get these programs to pattern a pattern ?
