The Pattern Tool By Matthew Barrera, Chris Cantu, Israel Martinez and Alexandra Perez

What is the pattern tool? The pattern tool is a special tool that creates copies known as pattern members of holes or shafts. The pattern tool is a special tool that creates copies known as pattern members of holes or shafts. Four main types of pattern tools: Four main types of pattern tools: –Dimension pattern tool –Direction pattern tool –Axis pattern tool –Fill pattern tool

Why should I learn this? You save time You save time –Imagine having to create a gear or a part with 100’s of holes or shafts in it. Imagine how long that would take with no tools other than the extrusion tool! By using the pattern tool, you can design such tedious, complicated parts in less than 20 minutes with the expected results. Nice isn’t it?

The Dimension Pattern Tool The dimension pattern tool allows you to create pattern members in one or two directions by using dimensions from your sketch. The dimension pattern tool allows you to create pattern members in one or two directions by using dimensions from your sketch. –Unidirectional: patterning in one direction –Bidirectional: patterning in two directions First, create an extrusion. First, create an extrusion. Then, create a second extrusion and make it into a cut or a shaft. Then, create a second extrusion and make it into a cut or a shaft. Right-click on the second extrusion in the model tree and select “pattern.” The pattern dashboard displays. Right-click on the second extrusion in the model tree and select “pattern.” The pattern dashboard displays.

The Dimension Pattern Tool Select “Dimensions” from the list of pattern types. Select “Dimensions” from the list of pattern types. Now select the direction you wish to pattern in by clicking the dimension on your sketch and specifying the increment (the distance between each shaft or hole) Now select the direction you wish to pattern in by clicking the dimension on your sketch and specifying the increment (the distance between each shaft or hole)

The Dimension Pattern Tool If you wish to pattern in two directions, select the box below “Direction 2” from the dimensions menu. If you wish to pattern in two directions, select the box below “Direction 2” from the dimensions menu. Next, select the dimension on your sketch and specify the increment. Next, select the dimension on your sketch and specify the increment.

The Dimension Pattern Tool Now enter the number of pattern members in the first direction. Now enter the number of pattern members in the first direction. Do the same for the other direction if you created two directions. Do the same for the other direction if you created two directions. After you are done making the desired modifications, click the green check mark to apply changes. After you are done making the desired modifications, click the green check mark to apply changes.

The Dimension Pattern Tool To create a dimension pattern going in a diagonal direction, select both dimensions at the same time by holding the control key for both direction. To create a dimension pattern going in a diagonal direction, select both dimensions at the same time by holding the control key for both direction.

The Direction Pattern Tool The direction pattern tool is very similar to the dimension pattern tool. Same results, but a slightly different process. The direction pattern tool is very similar to the dimension pattern tool. Same results, but a slightly different process. After you create the part you wish to pattern, right-click on the part in the model tree and select “pattern.” The pattern dashboard displays. After you create the part you wish to pattern, right-click on the part in the model tree and select “pattern.” The pattern dashboard displays.

The Direction Pattern Tool Select “Direction” from the list of pattern types. Select “Direction” from the list of pattern types. Select an edge, plane, surface or datum on your sketch to define the first direction. Select an edge, plane, surface or datum on your sketch to define the first direction. Specify the number of pattern members in the first direction. Specify the number of pattern members in the first direction. Specify the space between each pattern member. Specify the space between each pattern member.

The Direction Pattern Tool If you wish to pattern in two directions, simply click on the second direction reference in the pattern dashboard and select an edge, plane, surface or datum on your sketch to define the second direction. If you wish to pattern in two directions, simply click on the second direction reference in the pattern dashboard and select an edge, plane, surface or datum on your sketch to define the second direction. After you are done making the desired modifications, click the green check mark to apply changes. After you are done making the desired modifications, click the green check mark to apply changes.

The Axis Pattern Tool The axis pattern tool allows you create parts such as gears based on radial or angular patterns. The axis pattern tool allows you create parts such as gears based on radial or angular patterns. After you create the part you wish to pattern, right-click on the part in the model tree and select “pattern.” The pattern dashboard displays. After you create the part you wish to pattern, right-click on the part in the model tree and select “pattern.” The pattern dashboard displays. Now, select “Axis” from the list of pattern types. Now, select “Axis” from the list of pattern types.

The Axis Pattern Tool Select the datum axis to be the center of your pattern. Select the datum axis to be the center of your pattern. Specify the pattern members going in angular direction. Specify the pattern members going in angular direction. Specify the angle between each pattern member. Specify the angle between each pattern member. After you are done making modifications, click the green check mark to apply changes. After you are done making modifications, click the green check mark to apply changes.

The Fill Pattern Tool The fill pattern tool fills a sketched area with pattern members. The fill pattern tool fills a sketched area with pattern members. After you create the part you wish to pattern, right-click on the part in the model tree and select “pattern.” The pattern dashboard displays. After you create the part you wish to pattern, right-click on the part in the model tree and select “pattern.” The pattern dashboard displays. This time select “Fill” from the list of pattern types. This time select “Fill” from the list of pattern types.

The Fill Pattern Tool Click on the sketch tool to create a sketch specifying the area you wish to fill with pattern members. Click on the sketch tool to create a sketch specifying the area you wish to fill with pattern members. After you create your sketch, select how you want to space your instances (Circle, Square, Diamond, etc.) and how far from one another you wish to space them. After you create your sketch, select how you want to space your instances (Circle, Square, Diamond, etc.) and how far from one another you wish to space them. After you are done making modifications, click the green check mark. After you are done making modifications, click the green check mark.

Pop Quiz 1.Name three types of pattern tools? 2.What is the main difference between the dimension pattern tool and the direction pattern tool? 3.What kind of parts can you design with the axis pattern tool? 4.Why is the pattern tool useful? 5.Name a part you would be interested in creating using the pattern tool.