Component Patterning along a curve.

[Cadmanto]

I found this thread from a few years ago.  Followed it verbadam and I cannot get my patter to work.

Like it states as Curtis very nicely outlined, when I try patterning the blue part along the curve, and select the sketch,

doesn't want to be selected.

Never had to pattern along a curve before, so this is new to me.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/pattern-part-equal-spacing-along-sketch/td-p/5034180

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[TheCADWhisperer]

Missed a step.

It is not the sketch that is used to pattern Components - it is the WorkPoint pattern.

The sketch is used to pattern the WorkPoint, then the Workpoint pattern is used to pattern the Components.

[Cadmanto]

Ok, I am with you.  I did misunderstood that part.  Was thinking at first the work point was just a point.  Have not worked with work points until now.

So, in my part I am patterning the work points and they are not following the curve as show below.

Thoughts on why?

Regardless, manually placed the work points and in the assembly for patterning, still will not allow me to select the work points from the part in the assembly.

Windows 10 x64 -16GB Ram
Intel i7-6700 @ 3.41ghz
nVidia GTS 250 - 1 GB
Inventor Pro 2018

[mcgyvr]

^^^ fast forward to the like 8min 20 second mark 

[Cris-Ideas]

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@Cadmanto wrote:

.....

So, in my part I am patterning the work points and they are not following the curve as show below.

Hi,

If you select the curve as a pattern direction points are following the curve, only problem may be that first point is not in the begging of the curve. In such case pattern direction curve has the same geometry as a curve you selected but is translate to the first point position. So points being patterned end up being not on the curve.

Only safe way for using pattern along a curve is to prepare curve that starts exactly where first point is. Also you avoid problems if you have all other lines in the sketch as sketch only. Sometimes if there are multiple lines connecting in the same point inventor takes the wrong way.

If you want to pattern along closed curve than you must split the curve directly where the first point is.

I ma not able to open your files properly. I am not sure what is wrong. It reads them as imported from other format and brings up messages of missing references.

To solve your case you must create curve that begins where the first point is and select it for pattern direction.

Cris.

[Cadmanto]

That's a great video and makes it look so easy.  Except in my case, it wont let me select the part pattern.  If I could select the part pattern, this thread would be resolved.

Did you look at the parts I attached?

Windows 10 x64 -16GB Ram
Intel i7-6700 @ 3.41ghz
nVidia GTS 250 - 1 GB
Inventor Pro 2018

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

You have a bunch of individual WorkPoints, not a Pattern of Workpoints.

Back in a minute...

I'm back - one trick that is needed is to set to Modeling browser in the assembly...

[Cadmanto]

I know, I did that because the pattern started going astray.  This model I attached was imported.  I created a fresh model similar and am having the same issue with getting the patterned work points to be detected in the assembly pattern.

Cris,

I get your point, not the case here.  I selected the one curve and that was the result.  I will revisit it again to see if the second time is the charm.  

Second time, same results.  As far as the points going astray that is.

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

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@Cadmanto wrote:

  As far as the points going astray that is.

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Direction 1

[TheCADWhisperer]

errr, let me check that again - I don't think not sure if you can use Projected - will need to add sketch curves.

[Cadmanto]

Yes, setting it to modeling is key.  I got it to work once that was changed.

Thank you.  One thing though, why are the points not on the curve?

And, how do you get the patterned components to rotate to follow the curve correctly?

Windows 10 x64 -16GB Ram
Intel i7-6700 @ 3.41ghz
nVidia GTS 250 - 1 GB
Inventor Pro 2018

[Cadmanto]

Worked, the modeling tab and setting them to directional in the pattern sequence gave it to me.

I know it had to be something simple.  These key factors were missing from the post I attached in my OP.

Thank you so much for your help.  This was definitely an educational thread and learned something new.

Windows 10 x64 -16GB Ram
Intel i7-6700 @ 3.41ghz
nVidia GTS 250 - 1 GB
Inventor Pro 2018

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Guys,

If you are on 2017 or later, you can also use sketch-point-driven feature pattern (uneven spacing) to create the workpoint pattern. Then you can reference the feature pattern in component pattern.

Many thanks!