About Patterning NC Sequences

You can create patterns of NC sequences using the Manufacturing >

Pattern option. These patterns can be either Direction, Axis, or Reference.

• Direction patterns are created using Direction on the Pattern tab by translating or rotating CL data with respect to either the NC Sequence or the Machine coordinate system, coordinate system axis, datum axis, model edges, and so forth.

• Axis patterns are created using Axis on the Pattern tab by referencing a single datum axis for rotation. . You can also use an axis of a coordinate system, model edges, and so forth as reference for axis patterns.

• Reference patterns are created using Reference on the Pattern tab. This type of pattern can be created only if the NC sequence to be patterned references a patterned leader.

• Table patterns are created using Table on the Pattern tab. With Table patterns you can pattern tool paths with variable offsets. You can use Table patterns for only those patterns that are not based on dimensions

You can convert a tool path patterned by a coordinate system, axis, or direction method to a table-based one. Converting a tool path patterned using a table-based method to one that is based on an axis or direction results in the loss of all changes to the pattern table and you must redefine the pattern again.

When converting a coordinate system-based tool path pattern to a table-based one, the default order of pattern instances in the table is according to the current postprocessing rules for a duplicate feature. However, the pattern leader must always be first.

To view information about the pattern, right-click a pattern on the Model Tree and click Info on the shortcut menu. You can also use

Delete Pattern on the shortcut menu to delete a pattern.

You can use the following methods to pattern tool paths using a Machine or NC Sequence coordinate system, coordinate system axis, datum axis, model edges, and so forth as its reference as follows:

• Translate in the first direction and rotate in the second direction.

• Rotate in the second direction and translate in the second direction.

In the workflow of the pattern tool, you must specify whether a tool path is patterned by translation or rotation in each direction.

• For translations—You can select the coordinate system axis for translation in the graphics window. You can also flip the direction in which the pattern is propagated.

• For rotations—You can flip the direction in which the pattern is propagated. You can also propagate a pattern by specifying a rotation increment or rotation extent.

If an NC sequence has Tool Motion features, it cannot be reference patterned.

You can create Coordinate patterns of NC sequences that have Tool Motion features. You can also create a regular Dimensional pattern of an NC sequence if it contains a Tool Motion with dimensions that can be used to drive the pattern.

If you try to pattern an NC sequence that has Tool Motions, the system creates an internal local group containing these features and patterns this local group. If the NC sequence references another feature, such as Mill Volume or Drill Group, two situations are possible:

1. If the reference feature immediately precedes the NC sequence in the feature list, the system will prompt you if you want to include the reference feature in the pattern or not.

2. If there are other features in between the reference feature and the NC sequence, the system will issue a warning and the reference feature will not be patterned. If you want the reference feature to be patterned along with the NC sequence, reorder it to be immediately before the NC sequence in the feature list before creating the pattern.