Chapter 15: Patterning and Mirroring Components
IN THIS CHAPTER
Creating local component patterns
Placing the initial components for feature-driven component patterns
Examining other pattern options
In SolidWorks assemblies, the word component can refer to either parts or subassemblies at the top level of an assembly. So component patterns can be patterns of parts, subassemblies, or combinations of parts and subassemblies.
Component patterns come in two varieties: local patterns, which include linear and circular patterns, and feature-driven patterns, which are driven by a feature pattern in a part. The local patterns are obviously somewhat limited, but because feature-driven patterns follow patterned features, they can also be driven by sketch-driven patterns. Curve-driven and fill patterns can also be used.
Mirroring components in assemblies is far more complex than mirroring features in parts. SolidWorks provides options for mirrored parts, mirrored positions, left-hand and right-hand versions of parts, and mirroring parts and subassemblies within top-level assemblies.
Using Local Component Patterns
Local component patterns are limited to linear and circular patterns; SolidWorks assemblies do not offer the wealth of options available for patterning features in a part such as curve driven, table driven, sketch driven, and fill pattern. The linear pattern directions work just like the linear pattern feature in parts and must reference a line, axis, edge, and so on to establish ...
