Varying Dimension Pattern (SolidWorks 2013 Feature)

The Instance to Vary option in the Linear and Circular Pattern Property Managers allows you to vary the dimensions and locations of instances in a feature pattern. You can vary the dimensions of a series of instances, so that each instance is larger or smaller than the previous one. You can also change the dimensions of a single instance in a pattern and change the position of that instance relative to the seed feature of the pattern.

For linear patterns, you can change the spacing between the columns and rows in the pattern. For circular patterns, you can arrange the instances to become closer together or farther apart.

Below is a part with the slot cut into it. We will pattern that slot 5 times (total) and will vary the distance between them by 7mm and also change few dimensions.

 

 

 

As shown below open the Linear Pattern from your Features Toolbar or Insert > Pattern/Mirror > Linear Pattern. Now in the Property Manager for Direction 1, we select the linear edge as shown below and type in a distance of 30mm for a total of 5 instances. In Features to Pattern we select the Cut Extrude feature (slot) and as shown below we get a preview.

 

Now the new function in SolidWorks 2013 is that you can select the Instances to Vary dialog box as shown below and make changes. Here in Direction 1 Increments we will type a value of 7mm and as shown below it will vary the dimension 30, 30+7 (37mm), 37+7 (44mm), 44+7 (51mm) respectively.

 

Now in the dialog box where it says Choose Feature dimensions to vary in Direction 1 we will select the dimensions we want to vary. In our case we will select the dimensions 80mm and 15mm directly from the graphics area and they will appear in the form of a row as shown below. In the Increment column we will specify the value as 50mm increment for 80mm dimension and 4mm increment for the 15mm dimension. Also as shown below the preview is updated and if it does not then make sure Full preview option is selected.

 

 

From the above preview we can see that the last instance is too big and its going outside the part. So here we can click on the Magenta color dot and say Modify Instance as shown below.

The Modify Instance opens up a dialog box in the graphics area and here we will change the value (Slot length to 150mm) as shown below.

Below is the final part and as seen the Linear Pattern has given us the slot with varying different parameters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Save and Restore User Settings (New in SolidWorks 2013)

You can save and restore your keyboard shortcuts, customized menus and toolbars, and system options from the Tools menu or expand the pull down menu next to Options command as shown below. Selecting Save/Restore Settings runs the Copy Settings Wizard in a special mode which allows the SolidWorks software to remain up and running, while you save or restore your current user settings.

 

 

It opens the Copy Settings Wizard as shown below and you can choose either Save the Settings or Restore previously saved settings.

 

 

 

Now you can select the settings you wish to Save and the location and it creates a .sldreg file in which your settings are saved as shown below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Curve Driven Pattern

The Curve Driven Pattern tool allows you to create patterns along a planar or 3D curve. To define the pattern, you can use any sketch segment, or the edge of a face (solid or surface), that lies along the plane. You can base your pattern on an open curve, or on a closed curve, such as a circle.

The Curve Driven Pattern Property Manager appears when you create a new curve driven pattern, or when you edit an existing curve driven pattern feature.

To access the Property Manager, click Curve Driven Pattern (Features toolbar) as shown below or Insert > Pattern/Mirror > Curve Driven Pattern.

 

Below is an example of curve driven pattern.  We want to create in total 16 Countersink Holes as shown below. We select Curve Driven Pattern and the Property Manager for it opens. In Direction 1, we select the outer edge of the ellipse (No need to create offset ellipse as Construction Geometry) and then in the Number of Instances we input 16 (1+ 15) as shown below.

Now in the Property Manager we select the Countersink Hole as the  Feature to Pattern.

Curve Method:

Defines the direction of the pattern by transforming how you use the curve selected for Pattern Direction. Select one of the following:

Transform Curve: The delta X and delta Y distances from the origin of the selected curve to the seed feature are maintained for each instance.

Offset Curve: The normal distance from the origin of the selected curve to the seed feature is maintained for each instance.

Alignment Method:

Tangent to curve	: Aligns each instance tangent to the curve selected for Pattern    Direction.
Align to seed	: Aligns each instance to match the original alignment of the seed feature.

 In our case we select offset curve and Align to Seed and as shown below and it gives you a nice preview.

 

 

Below is the Final model with the Curve Driven Pattern.

 

Now in case we want to skip some instances (Countersink Holes) the instances to skip option is there in Curve Driven Pattern. As shown below you can select the instance that you would like to skip by clicking on the Magenta color dot and it turns to Orange.

 

Below is the Final model with Instances to Skip.