A quick guide to creating a pattern within a custom content center frame member using Inventor

by Shaun Griffiths

There may be occasions where you want to build a frame using parts that are custom and so do not exist in the content center. In addition, these frame members may have a pattern which needs to adjust based on the length, such as in the image below. You may have attempted this, but the pattern did not seem to be reflected in the frame. That is because there is a particular workflow that you need to follow.

To begin with you need to start with a complete profile of your frame member design in a sketch.

Next you can create a parameter to define the length within the parameter manager as below. In this case we have created the parameter “len”. You can then select or type this parameter in the extrusion field. Alternatively, you can create the parameter during the extrusion stage by typing len = 100 for example.

Once extruded to a suitable length, you may author the frame member, selecting structural shape as the definition. Note we have not yet created the slot pattern.

You can then go through the process of defining your layout. In this case we do not need to select any new features, but you may need to build a notch profile depending on your structural shape.

Next is the parameter mapping. In this example the only parameter we are adding is the length, which we have mapped to the parameter we defined earlier (len). If you want your frame member to be usable within frame analysis environment for example, then you may need to fill more of the appropriate date below.

Once authored you will see that a body and driven length will appear in the model browser, highlighting that the relevant geometry and length parameters have been defined.

Now we can start creating our pattern feature. Here we are creating a slot within a sketch and naming the parameters to make them easier to use in the pattern equation later.

From here, we will now open my parameter manager and define the pattern equation. We have created the numeric parameters “spacing” and “slot_no“ to define the spacing between the slots and also calculate how many slots are required based on the length. The “ceil” function rounds up to the nearest whole number. The additional “G_” parameters were generated automatically when the structural shape was authored and are used when placed into a frame using the frame generator.

Now we can add the parameters into the relevant fields of the pattern command and see the pattern generate effectively. It is a good idea to test the part at various lengths to assess whether the pattern is functioning as expected.

Now we can publish the part to content center. This requires the project file to be read and write, so may mean checking out the project file if using Vault, as the content center library is being altered.

Once in the publishing guide, you can select your library, categories, standards and parameters etc, based on your requirements, and publish when finished.

Once published you can create a skeleton of your frame in a part and place it into an assembly.

From here you should be able to select your frame member and place it effectively, using the skeleton you have built as a guide.

You can then utilise the additional tools within the frame section of the design tab to finish the design. In this case we have used the trim function to provide the finished frame below.