3D Curve Driven Pattern

[PatrickMacMahon]

Is there a method or work-around for creating a 3D curve driven pattern? 

The Sketch Driven pattern function allows this for holes to be applied normal to a curved surface but not features with defined symmetry like tooth profiles.  

Specifically, each instance of the pattern needs to be normal to the surface at the point of its application (the Base Point) and tangential to the curve along which it is created. 

As far as I can tell the former is satisfied but not the latter as only points are referenced.

This capability has been available for some time in competitive products and I attach an image which more fully explains the required capability.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[-niels-]

Something like my attached file? or am i missing something? (IV2018 file)

I made a rectangular pattern and used a 3D curve for the direction, but am slightly unsure if it fulfills all your requirements.

[JDMather]

Attach your *.ipt file here if you can’t figure it out.

[PatrickMacMahon]

Thanks. Please find the Part File attached and an explanation of the problem I am having.

[PatrickMacMahon]

 Thanks.  I think you may have hit on something but I cannot repeat it.  Please find attached an example in a part part file with a clearer explanation of the problem.

[WHolzwarth]

I tried it this morning with no success.

😊 But now ..

[-niels-]

@PatrickMacMahon, Interesting problem.

Like @WHolzwarth i tried without success, the solution he posted also doesn't follow both curves.

Even though sketch driven pattern lets you select multiple faces, it only follows the first selection in this case.

Rectangular pattern also does not work in this case.

I don't have time to try to come up with different approaches, maybe others will have more luck.

Might be something fun for @johnsonshiue to look into.

[PatrickMacMahon]

I have been working with the solution provided by @WHolzwarth . 

While not an absolute solution, it is accurate enough to provide a reasonable approximation over a small number of repetitions (<20). 

In the absence of a dedicated 3D Curve Driven Pattern generator it is also, by far, the best alternative I have seen and for which I am most grateful.

[-niels-]

This is gnawing on me, here's a little edit on @WHolzwarth's part i did.

If it's just for approximation it probably doesn't matter too much, here's what i did:

I deleted everything but the top face,

Offset the remaining surface by the thickness (thicken as a solid gave errors),

Created a ruled surface to connect the 2 profiles,

Stitched them together.

The tooth profile still isn't perfect, but i think that also has to do with the way the initial sketch was set up.

At least this way it stays perpendicular to the curve.

[WHolzwarth]

Oh, yes, I didn't realize the issue in my yesterday's file. Shame on me.

I tried again today, parallel to Niels, and used a tilted sweep instead of the loft over several sketches. The shapes of sweep and loft are not identical, but the problem remains.

Testing with 2020, I got a similar solution as Niels.

The whole task could have been more straightforward.

[PatrickMacMahon · Accepted solution]

Thanks to all. Appears that a specific function is required within Inventor.  

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! At the moment, the path-based rectangular pattern would not create the desirable geometry, because it lacks the orientation control in the 3rd direction (guide surface vector). You will need to create the cut one by one unfortunately (sketch block may help a bit).

For the main body, I used Twist Sweep instead. Loft cannot offer the required precision unless infinite number of sections are created.

Many thanks!

[PatrickMacMahon]

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Select rectangular pattern, go to direction 1, select your curve in the graphic area and then from the drop-down menu (under direction 1) select Curve Length.