In SOLIDWORKS 2015 we have added a new and more intelligent way to create linear patterns. This pattern uses existing geometry as reference and adapt to those circumstances.
Option 1: Up to Reference with fixed number of feature pattern instances.
Assume you have the following part (Fig. 1)
and want to create a four instances feature pattern in which the last instance is 100 mm from the end of the part as measured to the center of the feature (Fig. 2.)
As shown in (Fig. 3), you must select the “Up to reference” option and then select the end point reference vertex. Enter 100 mm distance to this reference point, and select the centroid option.
Option 2: Up to reference with feature instance separation gap
This is a variation of the above in that instead of having four instances feature pattern, now you need an X number of instances with a 50 mm gap between instances (Fig. 4.) Also, you want to have at least 150 mm gap at the end (reference point.)
To create this type of pattern you must select option “Up to reference”, select the part vertex reference point, select the gap between the feature centroid and the vertex (150 mm) and lastly select the gap between the features (50 mm.)
Option 3: Up to body and feature reference with gap feature distance
This variation uses a specific reference point in the seed feature as a gap to the body reference point.
You want to create a pattern with a 50 mm gap between features. You also want this pattern to end at least 100 mm before a specific point from the part and a feature reference (Fig.5)
To create this pattern you must first select the body reference point (Vertex1.) Then select the gap separation between this reference point and the feature reference point (Vertex2) (100 mm) and lastly either select the number of instances or the gap distance (50 mm) between each feature.
Originally posted in the SOLIDWORKS Tech Blog by Mario Iocco.