Lesson

16 Instance Arrays

Purpose

This lesson is an introduction to Instance Arrays.

Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Create a Rectangular Array.

• Create a Circular Array.

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Instance Feature
You can use the Instance Feature option to duplicate existing features and
eliminate repetitive tasks when creating models. This option can be accessed
by choosing the Instance Feature icon from the Feature Operation toolbar or
by choosing Insert? Associative Copy? Instance from the menu bar.
An Instance is a shape linked feature, similar to a copy. The Instance not only
duplicates the feature but preserves the parameters of the feature.
Since all instances of a feature are associated, the parameters of the original
feature may be edited and the changes are reflected in every instance of the
feature. The instance itself is also a parametric feature so parameters such
as the number of instances and spacing may be edited.
The following Instance Types are available:
• Rectangular Array

• Circular Array

• Mirror Body (Not covered in this lesson)

• Mirror Feature (Not covered in this lesson)

16 • Pattern Face (Not covered in this lesson)

There are three Methods available for creating Rectangular and Circular
Instance arrays:
• General

• Simple

• Identical

In most cases, the General method is sufficient. Howeve r, system performance

may be affected in complex models. Using the Simple method may increase
performance and, in a worst case scenario, the Identical method may be
required.

Most Feature operations (such as Edge Blend, Chamfer, Shell, etc.)

may not be instanced.

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Rectangular Instance Array

This option is used to create a linear array of instances from selected

feature(s).
All rectangular arrays will be crea ted in a pla ne parallel to the XC-YC plane.
The position of the rectangular array will remain relative to the location of
the feature that the array is based on. If the position of the original feature
changes, the position of the array will also chang e.
After selecting the feature(s) to be instanced, the following parameters must
be specified:
• Number Along XC — The total number of instances in the XC
direction, including the original feature.

• XC Offset — The spacing between adjacent instances in the XC

direction.

• Number Along YC — The total number of instances in the YC

direction, including the original feature.

• YC Offset — The spacing between adjacent instances in the YC

direction.

The offset values can be either positive or negative.

The number of instances for both the XC and YC directions must be a whole 16
number greater than zero.

1 — Hole selected for instance.

Number Along XC = 3
XC Offset = .75
Number Along YC = 4
YC Offset = 1

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Circular Instance Array

This option is used to create a circular array of instances from selected

feature(s).
After selecting the feature(s) to be instanced, the following parameters must
be specified:
• Number — The total number of instances in the circular array,
including the existing fea ture.

• Angle — The angle between adjacent instances, measured about a

refe rence point.

Once the feature and parameters are specified, a rotation axis must be
defined. The circular instance array will be created in a plane normal to this
rotation axis. There are two ways to define a rotation axis:
• Datum Axis — An existing datum axis is selected. Associativity to the
datum axis is maintained. If the datum axis is later moved, the instance
array will move with it.

• Point & Direction — The Vector Constructor dialog is used to specify a

direction and the Point Constructor dialog is used to specify a reference
point. The selected features will be rotated about the reference point in a
plane normal to the vector direction.
16 1 — Hole selected for instance.
2 — Reference Point (Arc Center)
3 — Vector Direction (+ZC)

Number = 8
Angle = 45

When using the Point & Direction option, positional associativity

is not maintained. If geometry is used to define the reference
point and vector direction and the geometry is later moved, the
circular array will not move with it.

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Activity — Rectangular Instance Array

In this activity, you will create a rectangular insta nce array of a hole feature.

There will be a total of six holes in the instance array. Two holes in
the XC direction and three holes in the YC direction.

Step 1: Open the instance_array_1 part.

Step 2: Start the Modeling application.

Step 3: Orient the WCS so that the XC-YC plane is parallel to the plane of
the array.
Choose Format? WCS? Orient.

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Choose X-Axis, Y-Axis.

Select the X–Axis (1) and Y–Axis (2) as shown.

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The proper WCS orientation is shown belo w.

Choose OK.

Step 4: Create a rectangular array of the hole feature.

Choose the Instance Feature icon.

(Insert→Associative Copy→Instance)
16 Choose Rectangular Array.

Select Simple Hole(15). The feature may be selected from the

graphics window or from the Instance dialog.

Choose OK.

Key in the following parameters:

Method = General
Number Along XC = 2
XC Offset = 1.25
Number Along YC = 3
YC Offset = .687

Choose OK.
A preview of the instance array appears in the graphics
window. Choosing Yes will create the instance as it is shown.
Choosing No will return to the Enter Parameters dialog.

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Choose Yes.

Step 5: Close the part.

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Activity — Circular Instance Array

In this activity, you will create a circular instance array of m ultiple features.

The finished part will have four legs that are identical and are to
be equally spaced about center of the cylinder. The figure below
illustrates the “Before and After” model.

Step 1: Open the instance_array_2 part.

Step 2: Start the Modeling application.

16 Step 3: Create the Instance Feature.

Choose the Instance Feature icon.

(Insert→Associative Copy→Instance)

Choose Circular Array.

Select the following five features from the Instance dialog:

Extrude(5)
Boss(6)
Boss(7)
Extrude(9)
Simple Hole(12)

Multiple features may be selected by pressing MB1,

dragging over their names in the Instance dialog, and
releasing MB1.

Choose OK to confirm the selections.

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Key in the following parameters:

Method = General
Number = 3
Angle = 120

Choose OK.
The axis of rotation must be selected. Using a Datum Axis
maintains positional associativity.

Choose Datum Axis.

Make layer 61 selecta ble.

Select the Datum Axis (1).

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A preview of the instance array appears in the graphics

window. For better performance, only the first feature selected
is previewed.

Choose Yes if the temporary display looks correct.

Step 4: Add a chamfer to an instanced hole feature.

Choose the Chamfer icon.

(Insert→Detail Feature→Chamfer)

Key in the following parameters:

Input Option = Symmetric Offsets

Offset = 1.5
Chamfer All Instances = ON

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Select the circular edge of any one of the instanced holes.

Confirm the selection if necessary and choose OK.

Step 5: Edit the Instance array parameters.

Place the cursor over any of the instanced features and choose
MB3? Edit Parameters.
All options available for editing the selected feature are
displayed. The options may vary depending on which feature
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is selected.

Choose Instance Array Dialog.

Key in the following parameters:

Method = General
Number = 4
Angle = 90

The Radius value is inferred by the distance from the

arc center of the feature to the Datum Axis that was
selected as the Rotation Axis for the Circular Array.

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Choose OK three times to complete the edit (or MB2).

The part should now have four legs.

Step 6: Close the part.

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Activity (Optional) — Associativity of the Rotation Axis

In this activity, you will compare the positional associativity when the Point
Direction and Datum Axis options are used to define the rotation axis of a
circular instance array.
Step 1: Open the instance_array_3 part.

Step 2: Start the Modeling application.

Step 3: Investigate the model.

Choose the Part Navigator icon from the resource bar.

16 Choose the push pin icon in the upper right corner to

permanently display the Part Navigato r.

Choose the Layer Settings icon (Format→Layer Settings)

and make the display of ALL layers Selectable.

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The model contains two identical hole patterns. The center hole
in each pattern is positioned associatively to the relative datum
planes in the part. The hole pattern on the left was created by
specifying a point in space and a vector as the rotation axi s. The
pattern on the right was created by selecting a datum axis as the
rotation axis.

Step 4: Edit the model.

In the Part Navigato r, double-click the Block(0) feature.

Choose Feature Dialog.

Key in the following parameters:

X Length = 5 16
Y Length = 10
Z Length = 1

Choose OK twice to update the model. (or MB2)

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The model updates to reflect the change. Notice that the hole
pattern on the left does not move with the datum planes and
center hole but maintains the same position in absolute space. This
is because the hole pattern was created with a non-associative
reference point and direction vector.
The hole pattern on the right is associative to the datum axis that
was used to define the rotation axis and updated accordingly.

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Step 5: Close the part.

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Summary
The Instance functionality duplicates existing features, elimina ting repetitive
efforts in the creation of models.
In this lesson you:
• Created a Rectangular Instance Array.

• Created a Circular Instance Array.

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