Favorite SOLIDWORKS Capabilities: Component Patterns

One of our favorite SOLIDWORKS capabilities is to pattern components in assemblies.  This function gives us the ability to quickly populate assemblies with multiple parts in sequence.  We can do this without having to insert and mate each individual instance.  It’s a real time-saver for designers.  And, it enables us to build complete assemblies much quicker.

Not all patterns are perfect.  There are many situations where we need to vary the parameters of where a component lands in the assembly.  Historically, these items couldn’t be included in our component patterns.  They had to be added separately.  Component Patterns required fixed values to separate components from each other.  And, those values repeated themselves to form the pattern.

MODIFY AN INDIVIDUAL INSTANCE

In SOLIDWORKS 2020, we now have the ability to modify an individual instance.  We can adjust its position in the overall pattern. We do this by…

1. Clicking in the new ‘Modified Instances’ box in the Pattern Feature Manager
2. Selecting an individual instance
3. Modifying the parameter of that instance

We can change the position of the instance from its nominal position where it would normally land in the pattern.  And, we can also adjust the distance or angle from the seed component itself!  Therefore, this additional flexibility in SOLIDWORKS 2020 enhances an already great tool. 

MORE CONTROL OVER YOUR DESIGNS

Above all, It gives users even more control over their designs within a single feature and makes my list of my favorite SOLIDWORKS capabilities.

Interested in learning more about what’s new in SOLIDWORKS 2020, check out our collection of videos here.

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