Hole pattern

[lee_gardnerXXNJE]

Hi All,

 I would like to evenly space holes along a sketch curve. I guess in reality thats what im getting but i need all of the dimensions to be equal when measured along an axis, not hole to hole. Please see image as ive done a terrible job of explaining what i need. i need all of these dimensions to be equal. Depending on the job, the number of holes changes so its not a 1 off modelling thing. I usually drive the hole quantity with a form.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I don't think the path based pattern (Rectangular) can achieve what you want. You need to use Sketch Driven Pattern. What you need is to create a vertical line pattern within the sketch. Then add center points to the intersection of the curve and the line pattern. Lastly create the holes from the center or pattern the hole with the sketch centers.

Many thanks!

[kacper.suchomski]

Hi

This will probably require some advanced iLogic code.
I imagine it like this:

1. Create a curve in a 2D sketch
2. Extrude the curve as a surface
3. Create a Workplane at the starting point of the curve, parallel to the left side,
4. Create a rectangular pattern of Workplanes (additional construction geometry may be required to define the end of the pattern at the height of the curve ende). It can be parameterized and controlled from the form.
5. Create intersection Workpoints of 1) the face of solid where the holes will be 2) the curved surface 3) the individual workplanes.
6. Create holes at individual points in the expected direction with the given parameters.

The code architecture should include steps 5 and 6.

You can ask for help writing the code here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ilogic-and-vb-net-forum/bd-p/120

First, however, it is better to prepare the base model for automation (previous steps).

[lee_gardnerXXNJE]

thanks @johnsonshiue ,

 I will try that, once i have set this up and need to add more holes to the pattern, would i then have to manually add more points? I am hoping to make this automatically update

[lee_gardnerXXNJE]

Hi @kacper.suchomski ,

 that is an interesting method, i will also give that a try. Every time i create this part for a job the hole pattern (Qty) and sketch curve length are different so it needs to be robust

[lee_gardnerXXNJE]

ok @kacper.suchomski  & @johnsonshiue 

I forgot to add 1 thing, each hole in my example is actually a pattern of 3 holes that needs to rotate while going up or down the curve. I get this effect when im using the sketch curve method, would i get this with the proposed methods?

[kacper.suchomski]

Sorry, I didn't understand anything.

[lee_gardnerXXNJE]

sorry, This should help

[kacper.suchomski]

I would consider using an iFeature instead of an individual hole.

But I'm not sure if they will be able to rotate.

[kacper.suchomski]

Rotation can be achieved via Sketch Driven Pattern.
But then you need to change the code structure (starting from point 5 of the general workflow):

1. Create intersection Workpoints of 1) the face of solid where the holes will be 2) the curved surface 3) the individual workplanes.
2. Create a sketch on a plane and project all the points

Before that, you need to create one set of holes at the base point of the path.
Finally, create a sketch-driven pattern.

This will require work and experimentation.

[lee_gardnerXXNJE]

Thanks @kacper.suchomski , I will have a go and let you know how i get on

Regards

Lee

[lee_gardnerXXNJE]

@kacper.suchomski @johnsonshiue 

This is harder than is looks, Lol

I can get the pattern to follow the curve for the most part. The problems i have are

1, I cant get the hole pattern to rotate using the sketch driven pattern

2, when i change the number of holes in the pattern and the hole goes from the horizontal section of the curve to the tapered section, because the work point was created on the horizontal then it follows that.

Im almost at the point where i need to create multiple patterns, one for each curve section and try and manage it that way

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I don't think I can find a reliable automated approach except using iLogic. Please share your file here. I would like to understand the feature pattern issue better.

Many thanks!

[lee_gardnerXXNJE]

Hi @johnsonshiue 

Here is my test file, I have removed all of my different attempts and just left it how i started. The qty of holes can be changed in the form.

The key points are:

1. the hole pattern follows the curve sketch
2. the dimension for the hole spacing in the x direction stays constant, not the point to point measurement.
3. The hole pattern rotates to follow the curve path
4. the qty of holes can change from 8 to 20

Thanks

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Attached part is what I had in mind but I don't think this can be easily automated. The trouble here is that the projection is done on a per sketch point basis, not as a group (no such thing). As a result, it is impossible to ensure all points are projected when the target quantity is changed.

Many thanks!

[lee_gardnerXXNJE]

Thanks @johnsonshiue ,

 I think I will be tinkering with this problem for awhile

Regards

Lee