SW2015 Best Practices: Dimensioning Patterned Holes on Curved Parts

[justindustrial]

This continues to be a daily source of frustration for me:

On a day-to-day basis, I create parts with radial surfaces using sweeps and/or revolves, and pattern holes every 6" along those surfaces, with the first hole dimensioned from the edge of the part.

I've found the best way to create these holes is to dimension the first hole using the hole wizard, then use a curve-driven pattern with tangent option enabled at 6" regular intervals along a defined curve.

The trouble is dimensioning these holes in a drawing:

[ul]
[li]"Model Items" does not pick up hole wizard details. It also does not dimension the arc lengths derived from my curve driven pattern. Ideally, the model items tool would pick up both of these details when applied to a curve-driven pattern of holes. Alas it does not.[/li]

[li]I cannot dimension from hole-to-hole, because they are on a curved surface SW does not identify them as circles.[/li]

[li]To top it off, the hole callout feature does not even recognize the holes (which I used the hole wizard to create) as holes, and I must dimension them manually using annotated call-outs.[/li]

[li]Basically, I have to dimension everything by hand even though I used the tools as they were designed to be used to create the patterned holes.[/li]

[/ul]
This leaves me thinking that there must be a better way, surely I'm not the only one trying to pattern holes along curved surfaces. Looking to the community for feedback.

TIA

 

[AnnaWood]

Can you post an example part and detail that you have dimensioned? Likely no auto-magic way to achieve what you wish. We may be able to offer other solutions, need to see an example.

Anna Wood
SW2015 SP5, Windows 7 x64

 

[justindustrial]

Here's a simplified sample part showing the types of drilling patterns I typically work with. I've included a drawing as well. You'll notice in the drawing that "Model Items" has been applied, but does not give us any information about the hole placement. The Hole Callout feature does not work, and I cannot easily dimension the 6" distance from one hole to the next.

I am very open to using a different modeling method / different tools to create these holes, what is critical to me is being able to dimension them easily.

Thanks

SW2015 Drawing and Model - Radial hole patterns

 

[SBaugh]

Can you not just do a auxiliary view in your drawing using a sketch line as your reference?

Also if you section through the holes (if its possible) you can use the arc dimension. It might take some sketch work in your view to get it to work, but that might get you what you need. I used justindustrial example file to make a drawing see attached.

The red line in the section view shows how I made this arc dimension. Its the correct arc value, but SW why it shows this is horrible. This is a ER I turned in 2 years ago. I don't think it accurately represents what an arc dimension should look like. I think It should look like an angle dimension when it comes to the extension and dimension lines.

Hope this helps,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
Gryphon Environmental

http://www.2gryphon.com

"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"

faq731-376

 

[SBaugh]

the Pack and go don't get the drawing??? here is the file again.

Scott Baugh, CSWP
Gryphon Environmental

http://www.2gryphon.com

"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"

faq731-376