pattern to a table
In some cases, you may have already created a dimension pattern when you realize that it is not as flexible as you require. In these cases, you can convert this dimension pattern to a table and then modify the table to create the required pattern. To convert a dimension-driven pattern to table, use the following steps:
1. Select the pattern in the model tree and click Edit Definition in the pop-up menu.
2. Select Table from the pattern type pull-down menu. The dimensions used to create the dimensional pattern are added the table.
Once a table is converted from a dimension pattern to a table pattern, it cannot be converted back.
Step 1: Start the creation of the pattern
Step 2: Set the pattern type
Pattern type pull-down menu
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To select more then one dimension to be included in the table, use the <Ctrl>
key while selecting the dimensions.
Pro/ENGINEER prompts you to select the dimensions to drive the pattern. The dimensions are added to the table and appear in the
slide-up panel, as shown in Figure 4–3.
Figure 4–3
Any dimension added to a pattern table is a variable dimension and can be modified to create each pattern instance. Any dimensions associated with the component placement that were not used to drive the pattern are invariable. This means that modifications made to invariable dimensions are made to all pattern instances.
To edit a table, select the button in the dashboard. You can also access the table editor by selecting the slide-up panel and clicking Edit in the pop-up menu, as shown in Figure 4–4.
Figure 4–4
Step 3: Select the driving dimensions
Step 4: Edit the table
Press the right mouse button in the slide-up panel to open the pop-up menu.
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The dimensions appear in the table in the order that they were selected from the model.
The dimensions that are selected to drive the pattern appear as columns in the table. Enter absolute values relative to the dimension references of the pattern leader, as shown in Figure 4–5.
Figure 4–5
Pattern tables are stored with the model as long as the pattern exists in the model. All existing pattern tables have unique names, which enable you to easily switch the pattern table that is driving the pattern.
Tables that are stored to disk have a .ptb extension.
A pattern table can also be saved to a directory to reuse in another model. To save a pattern table to disk, select the slide-up panel and click Write in the pop-up menu. To load a pattern table from the disk to a pattern, select the slide-up panel and click Read in the pop-up menu.
Step 5: Save the table to disk, if necessary
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You can modify all pattern tables by clicking Edit > Pattern Table.
The TABLES dialog box appears as shown in Figure 4–6.
Figure 4–6 By adding additional
pattern tables to a pattern, you can create multiple design variations to use with family tables. To vary the pattern table used in a family table instance, enter the name of the pattern table.
All table-driven patterns in a model are listed in the TABLES dialog box. The active table for each pattern is indicated with a red arrow.
Use the buttons at the bottom of the dialog box to modify a table:
• To change the table driving a pattern, select the table and select the button.
• To create a new table for use in a pattern, select the button.
Once the table is created use the button to open the editor.
The driving dimensions are those from the original pattern table.
• Select the button to delete a table.
• To rename the selected table, select the button.
• To save a table to the hard drive, select it and select the button.
• To read a table from the hard drive, select the pattern in the current model and select the button.
Step 6: Modify the pattern table, if necessary
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4.2Reference Patterns
Reference patterns enable you to reference an existing pattern. The Reference option is only available when the component to be patterned references the leader of the original pattern.
Figure 4–7 shows an example of a reference pattern. The bolt is constrained into the assembly using the leader of the existing component (the washer) that was patterned.
Figure 4–7
General Steps
Use the following general steps to create a reference pattern:1. Start the creation of the pattern.
2. Set the pattern type.
3. Complete the pattern.
To start the creation of a pattern, select the component to be patterned and select the button or click Pattern in the pop-up menu.
Step 1: Start the creation of the pattern
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Reference patterns do not provide modifiable
parameters for the number of instances or the
increment values. The pattern is dependent on the parent pattern.
If the component being patterned references another pattern, the Reference pattern type is selected by default. If not already selected, select Reference from the pattern type pull-down menu, as shown in Figure 4–8.
Figure 4–8
Select the button to complete the pattern. The reference pattern is created automatically.
Step 2: Set the pattern type
Step 3: Complete the pattern
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4.3Fill Patterns
Fill patterns enable you to populate an entire area with members of a pattern or create a pattern that follows a curve. You can create a fill pattern using several grid styles and remove instances of the pattern that are not required. Figure 4–9 shows a fill pattern created using the spiral option.
Figure 4–9
General Steps
Use the following general steps to create a reference pattern:1. Start the creation of the pattern.
2. Set the pattern type.
3. Define the fill area.
4. Define the fill options.
5. Remove members of the pattern, if necessary.
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To start the creation of a pattern, select the component to be patterned and select the button or click Pattern in the pop-up menu.
Select Fill from the pattern type pull-down menu, as shown in Figure 4–10.
Figure 4–10
As with feature creation, a selected curve is copied into the pattern without an associative link.
To define the fill area you can sketch it or select an existing sketched datum curve. To sketch the fill area select the button, as shown in Figure 4–11.
Figure 4–11
Step 1: Start the creation of the pattern
Step 2: Set the pattern type
Step 3: Define the fill area
Pattern type
pull-down menu Select this button to sketch the fill area
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Once the fill area has been defined, several options become available on the dashboard that enable you to define the grid style, as shown in Figure 4–12. You can also manipulate the spacing and rotation of the pattern.
Figure 4–12
The available grid styles are shown in Table 4–1. The resulting patterns are based on the model in Figure 4–13.
Figure 4–13 Table 4–1
Step 4: Define the fill options
Grid Style Pattern Grid Style Pattern
Square Circle
Sets the spacing between the centers of the pattern members.
Sets the distance of pattern members from the boarder.
You can enter negative values.
Sets the rotation of the grid about the origin.
Sets the radial spacing for circular and spiral grids.
Grid Style
The pattern leader The fill area is
sketched using the edge of the circular component.
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If you remove a member from a pattern and want to re-add it after the pattern has been completed, select on the pattern in the model tree and select Edit Definition in the pop-up menu. Select the "hotspot"
that represents the deleted member to re-add it.
Once you have defined the fill pattern, you can remove selected members from the pattern. To remove a member from the pattern, select the "hotspot(s)" representing the instance in the model; the hotspot(s) turn white indicating it is removed. Select the member again to re-add the instance. Figure 4–14 shows several members of a pattern that have been removed.
Figure 4–14
Step 5: Remove members of pattern, if necessary
Grid Style Pattern Grid Style Pattern
These members have been deleted
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4.4Copying
The Copy option can be used to duplicate components in an
assembly. Copy is similar to pattern but does not require an existing dimension to drive the copy. The location of the copied component is independent of the original; however, the geometry of the copied component is still dependant on the original like in a pattern.
General Steps
Use the following general steps to copy components in an assembly:1. Start the copy operation.
2. Select the reference coordinate system.
3. Select the component(s) to be copied.
4. Define the first copy direction.
5. Define additional copy directions.
6. Modify the instances, as necessary.
To copy a component, click Edit > Component Operations > Copy.
The first component in an assembly cannot be copied. Always consider this when determining the order of your assembly components.
To begin the copy operation you must select a coordinate system.
This is used to determine the placement of the new component within the assembly. The transitional and rotational dimension values for the copied component are measured relative to this reference.
You can select an existing coordinate system from the model or create a new one. To create a new coordinate system, select the button and use the COORDINATE SYSTEM dialog box to select the references for the coordinate system.
Step 1: Start the copy operation
Step 2: Select the reference coordinate system
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A component can be selected from either the model tree or directly from the model. To select multiple components, press and hold the
<ctrl> key while selecting. Select the button to continue.
Once you have selected the components, the menu appears as shown in Figure 4–15. This menu enables you to assign translational or rotational values to place the new copied component.
Figure 4–15
To translate or rotate a component, click Translate or Rotate and select the axis along which you want the copied feature to translate or rotate. Once an axis is selected, enter the distance of translation or the angle of rotation at the message window prompt. You can
continue using a combination of the translation or rotation options to locate the copied component.
Once translation and rotation values have been defined, click Done Move. Enter the number of instances along the multiply direction. As with patterns, enter the total amount of copied instances you require including the original.
Step 3: Select the component(s) to be copied
Step 4: Define the first copy direction
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In Figure 4–16 component A is first rotated 45° along the Z-axis, then translated 2 units in the X-direction and -1 units in the Y-direction.
Component B is the resulting copied component.
Figure 4–16
To define the second copy direction, continue defining translational or rotational values. This enables you to define an array of components (i.e., copied in two directions). Once you have defined the move and entered the number of instances, continue adding additional copy directions using the same process.
In Figure 4–17, component A is copied by first translating -1 units along the Y-axis. Four instances including the original are specified for this move. The component is then rotated 10° about the Z-axis and translated 2 units in the X-direction. Three instances including the original are specified for the move. The resulting component has twelve instances, as shown in Figure 4–17.
Step 5: Define additional copy directions
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Figure 4–17
Each copied instance is treated as a separate component. Individual instances can be deleted or edited without affecting the rest of the copied instances. To edit the dimensions of a copied feature, select it and click Edit in the pop-up menu. This displays the translation and rotation dimensions that were specified when the component was added.
Step 6: Modify the instances, as necessary
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