USER DEFINED PATTERN??

[Anonymous]

In SW and Catia, you can place a bunch of points, then create a user pattern over them.

Can Inventor do this?

I need a bunch of rectangular cutouts to be populated over an irregular bunch of points.  I tried a rectangular pattern, but need to further refine it.

Any ideas?

[mdavis22569]

if it's a typical hole cut out .. you could make it an ifeature that is located/placed on the points

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

Create a Punch tool (a specialized iFeature), even if it isn't really a Punch feature.

Easy peasy and works like a charm.

[CCarreiras]

Hi!

This was asked in idea station... maybe in next version you will have this.

For now, you can use the punch tool to do this easily.

[Anonymous]

Do I need to start to part over as a sheet metal part to use that?  Punch tool sounds perfect.  Thanks!

[mdavis22569]

Convert to Sheet Metal .... nope don't have to start over 

[JDMather]

I use Punch tool for complex features that are not even close to resembling punch features and on parts that are definitely not sheet metal parts.  Simply go back and forth telling Inventor that it is sheet metal even if it is not.

[Anonymous]

outstanding!  I will have to dig into that.  Thanks!!

[mdavis22569]

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=ifeature+and+points+INv...

for more into on the Ifeature that makes the punch ...

[SBix26]

Here's a different way to tackle this, a method that I learned here on the forum, though I don't recall to whom I should give credit.

It's a bit tedious for anything more than this size to get set up, but it works and is flexible.  The big advantage is if you wish to use the pattern for mating parts in an assembly.

Sam B

Inventor Professional 2016 R3 SP1 Update 1
Vault Basic 2016 SP1
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit, SP1