SolidWorks 2011 Assemblies Bible - Matt Lombard [82]
5. Insert the part into the new assembly created in Step 1. Locate the part at the assembly Origin such that the part Origin matches the assembly Origin.
6. Open the part called Patterned Part.sldprt, and place it in the assembly.
7. Place the small part on the original feature of the rectangular pattern of round holes near the Origin, as shown in Figure 9.10. All the original features are colored red. Remember that Alt+dragging the circular edge on the flat side of the part enables you to SmartMate the part to the round holes. It cannot help you with the rectangular or hex holes. For these, it may be best to show the sketch for the holes and place the part with respect to the sketch entities.
FIGURE 9.10
Placing the patterned part
8. Create feature-driven patterns (Insert⇒Component Pattern⇒Feature Driven). Try to use each of the patterns from the pattern part. For each new pattern, make a copy of the patterned part and place it in one of the holes. Remember to use the Select Seed Position option to pick a feature pattern instance instead of the original feature.
9. Once you have created a few feature-driven patterns and have a better understanding of how it is done, right-click the top level of the assembly FeatureManager and select Collapse Items (near the bottom of the menu). The point of this example is simply to practice placing a part and patterning it with an existing feature pattern. The assembly will look like Figure 9.11 when you are done.
FIGURE 9.11
Several feature-driven patterns
10. Create a local pattern (Insert⇒Component Pattern⇒Linear Pattern). Select one of the sketch lines drawn in Step 1 as a pattern direction.
11. Highlight the Components to Pattern selection box. Select the first part in the FeatureManager and then Shift+select the last pattern feature. This patterns everything in the assembly.
12. Make the spacing 4 inches with three instances.
13. Create a second direction using another of the sketch lines with 6-inch spacing and four instances.
14. Notice how the preview shows 12 instances of the patterned assembly. Select the option for Pattern Seed Only and see how the preview changes to seven instances. Figure 9.12 shows this difference. Click OK to accept the feature.
FIGURE 9.12
Two direction patterns, one with and one without the Pattern Seed Only option
Summary
Performance and best practice are both issues that require compromise. Patterns can cause a performance reduction because of the nature of the references. However, they can also improve performance because the need for extra mates is reduced, and it is easier to simplify the assembly by suppressing the pattern feature.
Feature-driven patterns are driven by feature patterns and transgress best practice suggestions, but they also add a parametric link, which updates the component pattern automatically. In addition, they offer many more options that are driven by the pattern options available to features in a part.
Chapter 10: Modeling in Context
In This Chapter
Evaluating in-context modeling pros and cons
Understanding inserted, split, and mirror parts
Understanding the Layout workflow
Working in content tutorial
This chapter presents a balanced description of the pros and cons of in-context modeling. It provides the information you need to make informed decisions about whether or how to use this powerful tool. In-context modeling is a topic worthy of some investigation before you combine production data with external references. Almost anything you can do with in-context modeling can also be done another way, but in-context is the traditional way of using the geometry of one part to drive another.
In-context modeling extends parametric design from individual parts to top-level assemblies. With this power comes the potential for unexpected results. If you are not careful, in-context modeling can lead to difficulties with file management and loss of control over changes.
Understanding