by Shaun Griffiths
Sometimes we need to pattern a region or a face which would be difficult or time consuming to generate using the rectangular pattern command. Instead, you can use a method that involves splitting the face of the part.
This method has been around for a few years, but some of these techniques aren’t always common knowledge, so below is a short tutorial.
You may have a part or a sheet that you wish to apply a cut pattern to, for example a grill that would be punched out.
You need the pattern to fill an area, but you do not want to calculate it, or have any pattern members crossing the region.
In which case, if you draw a sketch of the region you want to fill:
Then create a separate sketch for the feature you wish to pattern.
You can then split the face of the part using the first curve you drew as the cutting tool.
Next create the feature.
Create a rectangular pattern of the feature you wish to pattern. Make sure the pattern covers the split area and that you select optimise.
You will receive a warning about some occurrences failing, this is to be expected, but the result will give you your intended pattern design.
This next step isn’t necessary, but if you wish to remove the split line, you can delete the face within the split area.
This will turn the object into the surface, then you can use the patch tool to select the geometry you wish to reapply the surface to.
If you then select stitch and select each of the surfaces, you will be left with a finished design with no split line.