Is it possible to pattern a part along a path?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

This is crazy, but I couldn't find anything or figure out how to form a pattern along a curve. I can use rectangular pattern along a straight line, but I'm after a curve. Thanks family.

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous

Yes you can...  Create the pattern at the part level..  Maybe points along a curve and then use that pattern as a reference in the assembly.  What version of Inventor are you using so an example can be provided to you.

[Anonymous]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your reply. I'm a little bit confused on what you're suggesting. Basically, let's say that I have a circle and I want to have some holes at some location of the circle. However, I want multiple holes and want them to be evenly spaced out along a curve. So I drew an arc and drew a circle at one point and wished that I can use that arc as a direction for which the rest of the circles will be drawn.

It seems like it should be an easier way, which leads me to believe that I didn't explain very well what I attended. I'm using Inventor 2017.

I attached an image just to demonstrate. The pattern with the circles was formed with the rectangle tool. However, you will see that I attempted to have a circle pattern around a curvy path. I was unsuccessful Thanks for you help in advance.

[WHolzwarth]

Here's some way of doing (2017 file)

Walter

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

...I'm a little bit confused on what you're suggesting. Basically, let's say that I have a circle and I want to have some holes ... .

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First, a distinction must be made between Parts (in your title), Sketch entities (circle in your description) and Features ("I want to have some holes).

Given that your thread title referred to Parts and then the response would be confusing related to pattern of Features or Sketch entities.

It is generally suggested that you pattern Features rather than pattern Sketch entities in most cases.

Then the Feature pattern can be used to pattern Parts (Components) in an assembly.

Now I have added another term, "Components". 

In an assembly a Component can be a single part or a sub-assembly (a collection of parts treated as a single component).

There is a special way to use the Rectangular Pattern Feature as a Curve Driven Pattern when the special technique is understood.

But now in 2017 there is also a Curve Driven sketch which complicates the understanding of how all of these work.

It might be best if you could attach an actual part file with more description of you ultimate design intent. 

I recommend that you watch these videos.  There is are a couple of curve driven pattern examples (Feature and Component).

[Anonymous]

Fantastic,

That is exactly what I'm looking for. I see that you used the rectangular tool and the patch. However, looking at the tree, I couldn't figure out what you did to produce that. I see occurrences and etc, but the things that I tried, I couldn't reproduce it.

Can you tell me the steps you took?

Thanks!

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@Anonymous wrote:

..., but the things that I tried, I couldn't reproduce it.

Can you tell me the steps you took?

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Did you watch the videos on Curve Driven Patterns and pick up on the "trick"?  (Belt teeth and helical curve holes on cylinder.)

Can you attach your attempt (your *.ipt file) here?

[Anonymous]

Hi TheCADWhisperer,

Yeah, thanks for pointing that out. I know the correct terminology  and etc, but somehow, I decided to use it interchangeably, which I really didn't attend to. I looked at the curve driven video, however, I don't know why, but there are less options in the rectangular tool than the version of the presenter. Because that option was lacked, I couldn't follow the tutorial 100%

Thanks!

[TheCADWhisperer]

Can you attach your *.ipt file here?

[Anonymous]

Just saw your newest post. Bingo! He was using the 3D rectangular tool and I was able to use the knowledge from that video to figure out what the previous responder did.

Thanks so much.

[Anonymous]

No need to. You helped me solve this problem. Sorry for the confusion on my part. Long day in the office.

[Anonymous]

Sir, please disregard my previous request. Thanks!

[gianluca_sita]

VIDEO NO MORE VISIBLES

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Here is an article describing the workflow.

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-create-a-pa...

Many thanks!