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In this task, you are going to
create rectangular cutouts according to a pattern.
These features make the creation process easier. |

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In the Generative Sheetmetal Design workbench, you can only
duplicate flanges, cutouts, holes, walls, walls on edges, mirrors, stamps (except
stiffening ribs), stamps without fillet (radius=0) and Generative
Sheetmetal Design patterns. |
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These features must
lie on a unique and planar wall. |
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For the SheetMetal Design workbench, open the
RectangularPattern1.CATPart document.
For the Generative Sheetmetal Design workbench, open the
NEWRectangularPattern1.CATPart document.The Sheet Metal part looks
like this:
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Select the rectangular cutout you want to duplicate.
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Click Rectangular Pattern
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The Rectangular Pattern Definition dialog box is
displayed. Each tab is dedicated to a direction to define the
location of the duplicated feature. |
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Set the specification for the First Direction by
selecting the first edge (Edge.1) as shown, to specify the
first direction of creation.
An arrow is displayed on the wall. |
The Reverse button enables to modify the direction.
You can also click the arrow in the 3D geometry. |
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Keep the Instances & Spacing options to define
the parameters.
Choosing these parameters types dims the
Length field because the application no longer needs this
specification to space the instances. |
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You can set the duplication parameters by choosing
the number of instances, the spacing between instances, or the total
length of the zone filled with instances.
Three options are available:
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Instances & Length: the spacing
between instances is automatically computed based on the number
of instances and the specified total length
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Instances & Spacing: the total length
is automatically computed based on the number of instances and
the specified spacing value
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Spacing & Length: the number of
instances is automatically computed to fit the other two
parameters.
For each of these cases only two fields are active,
allowing you to define the correct value.
If you set Instances & Length or
Spacing & Length parameters, note that you cannot define the
length by using formulas.
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Enter 2 as the number of instances you wish to obtain in
the first direction.
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Define the spacing along the grid: enter 30mm.
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Defining the spacing along the grid and the length of your
choice, would make the application compute the number of possible
instances and space them at equal distances. |
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Now, click the Second Direction tab to define
the other parameters.
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Note that defining a second direction is not compulsory. Creating
a rectangular pattern defining only one direction is possible. |
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Select the second edge (Edge.2), as shown, to
define the second direction.
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Keep the Instances & Spacing option: enter 8
and 10 mm in the appropriate fields.
Additional cutouts have been aligned along this second direction. |
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Click OK to repeat the cutouts.
After the update, the Sheet Metal part looks like this: |
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Click Unfold
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The pattern is updated on the unfolded view. |
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Click the More>>
button to display further options.
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The Simplified representation
option lets you lighten the pattern geometry, when more than 10
instances are generated in one direction. What you need to do is just
check the option, and click Preview. The system automatically
simplifies the geometry: |
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You can also specify the instances you do not want to see by
double-clicking the dots. These instances are then represented in
dashed lines during the pattern definition and then are no longer
visible after validating the pattern creation. The specifications
remain unchanged, whatever the number of instances you view. This
option is particularly useful for patterns including a large number
of instances. |
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(Reference information specific to the Generative Sheetmetal
Design workbench)
- When you duplicate a pattern of flange, the edge of the flange
spine and its instances have to be tangent to the wall edge: you
cannot choose a direction of patterning not parallel to the flange
spine.
- All instances of the flange pattern must lie on the same face
as the flange pattern.
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