Adaptive pattern along two rails

[Anonymous]

I've googled with no success.

Is it possible to create a pattern of holes (any shape) that could be constrained by two rails of varying separation so that the holes would adapt to their size accordingly?

Regards,

Paul.

[JDMather]

Can you Attach your file here and explain how this is not working for you?

I would simplify a bit (no need to repeat dimensions) but it should work adaptively.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I haven't got to the point of having a file that doesn't work. 

I haven't found the function, if one exists, that will do what I want.

Perhaps I'm looking at it the wrong way, and searching for the wrong thing.

The attached image is a representation of what I want to achieve, but without manual input.

[mikejones]

I don't think you will get it using the pattern function. You would need to manually draw each circle in the image and constraint it using tangency constraints to each controlling rail I'm afraid.

Mike

[WHolzwarth]

I think, perhaps iCopy can do that.

😣 But I don't have much experience for showing ..

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! I think Mike is right. Inventor does not have the patterning workflow to create such circles in one shot. Likely you will need to create the circles and constrain them individually.

Sketch Pattern can help somewhat. Use Rect Pattern command in 2D Sketch to pattern the circle -> expand the dialog -> uncheck Associative. In this way, you get evenly spaced circles in one operation. Then you need to constrain each to the big arc.

Many thanks!

[Anonymous]

I thought it might have been the case. It's a pretty tall order. But there are so many functions that I don't use in my daily workload so you never know what's out there.

Your suggestion seems like the quickest copy of the shape that can then be scaled/constrained to suit.

Thanks for the suggestion.