Minimizing update errors in circular patterns
when refining a part

 
 

When dealing with circular parts with many patterns and features tied to the centerline of the part (i.e., a bolt hole pattern tied to the center of a wheel), following tip will help to minimize the number of update errors as you refine the part in future revisions:

Insert an Open Body into the product structure and select Define in Work Object. Rename the body as REFERENCE_GEOMETRY. Insert a point at X=0 Y=0 Z=0 and rename it as ORIGIN. Insert a line through a point (the new origin) and a direction (normal to a surface perpendicular to your axis) at any length, and rename it as AXIS. Define your objects outside of the new body to eliminate confusion between elements. When defining a pattern in your part body, select the new line (AXIS) as the reference element.

By using this method, any changes to the main body or main sketch will not change the reference element used in a pattern. This procedure can save on reselecting the reference elements in a pattern each time you update or change the main body, and the pattern is always symmetrically located to the true center of your part - not the center of a circle which can shift.

 
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