Table Driven Patterns
Using X-Y coordinates, you can specify a feature pattern. Hole patterns
using X-Y coordinates are a common application for table driven patterns.
However, you can use other seed features, such as a boss, with table driven
patterns.
You can also save and load the X-Y coordinates
of a feature pattern, and apply them to a new part.
To build
a table driven pattern:
Create
a seed feature.
Create
a coordinate
system. The origin of this coordinate system becomes the origin
of the table pattern, and the X and Y axes define the plane in which the
pattern occurs.
Click Table Driven Pattern on
the Features toolbar, or click Insert, Pattern/Mirror,
Table Driven Pattern.
In the
dialog box, set these options:
Text files used for table driven patterns must have only
two columns: left for X coordinates and right for Y coordinates. The two
columns must be separated by a delimiter such as a space, comma, or tab.
You can use a combination of different delimiters within the same text
file. Do not include any other information in the text file because this
causes the import to fail.
Features
to copy. Creates the pattern based on features. You can select
multiple features.
Faces
to copy. Creates the pattern based on the faces that make up the
feature. Select all the faces in the graphics area. This is useful with
models that import only the faces that make up the feature, and not the
feature itself.
When using Faces
to Copy, the pattern must remain within the same face or boundary.
It cannot .
For example, a cut across the entire face or different levels (such as
a raised edge) would create a boundary and separate faces, preventing
the pattern from propagating.
Bodies
to copy. Creates the pattern based on multibody parts. Select the
bodies to pattern.
Geometry
pattern. Creates the pattern using
only the geometry (faces and edges)
of the features, rather than patterning and solving each instance of the
feature. The
Geometry
Pattern option speeds
up the creation and rebuilding of the pattern. You cannot create geometry
patterns of features that have faces merged with the rest of the part. Geometry pattern is not available with
Bodies to Pattern.
Propagate
Visual Properties. Propagates SolidWorks colors, textures, and
cosmetic thread data to all pattern instances.
X-Y coordinate
table. Creates the location points for the pattern instances using
X-Y coordinates. Double-click the area under Point
0 to enter the X-Y coordinates for each instance of the table pattern.
The X-Y coordinates of the reference point are displayed for Point
0. Click to undo coordinate table operations.
You can use positive or negative coordinates.
To enter a negative coordinate, precede the value with a minus (-). You
do not need to input X-Y coordinates if you imported a pattern table or
text file.
Click OK.