What is the Pattern tool?

The Pattern element is similar to a Linear or Circular array that you find in static CAD. However, in MechDesigner, Parts move and the Pattern must be able to move in different ways.

You use a Pattern to make copies of a Solid in a Part and also move the copies with the Part, or anticipates the motion of the Part to distribute the copies at equal increments along the Solid has in a full machine-cycle.

You can switch on and off the visibility of each Solid's instance in the Pattern, and also at different phases of the machine-cycle. When you use a Pattern to hide the Solid, you also remove its Mass-Properties.

See also: Pattern dialog-box

Add Pattern FB

Toolbar :

Modelling FB toolbar

Add Pattern FB

Pattern FB

Menu :

Add menu > Add Pattern FB

What to do :

STEP 1.Add the Pattern FB to the graphic-area
1.Click Kinematics FB Toolbar > Add Pattern FB
2.Click again in the graphic-area

The Pattern FB is now in the graphic-area and the Assembly-Tree.

Edit :

STEP 2.Open the Pattern FB dialog-box
1.Double-click a Pattern FB in the graphic-area

or

See How to Open a Dialog-Box.

Preparation :

Add Solid elements to the model. The Pattern FB can make a pattern of Solid elements

Notes :

A simple application of the Pattern element is to show or hide a single Solid at different angles in a machine-cycle.

 

Tutorials and Reference Help Files for MechDesigner and MotionDesigner 14.2 + © Machine, Cam, Mechanism, and Motion Design Software by PSMotion Ltd