About Machining Patterns Concepts

Machining patterns and machining operations comply with a data hierarchy. The pattern data is edited and shared.

This page discusses:

Pattern Data Hierarchy Concepts

A machining pattern comprises two sets of data:

  • Pattern geometry: Hole positions/axes, top element. The pattern geometry is visible in the work area and is editable in a dedicated editor.
  • Pattern usage or technology data: Ordering mode, jump distance, local entry/exit distances, local depth, and activate/deactivate status.

Information between pattern geometry/technology data and machining operations is shared in the Manufacturing View (Sort by Patterns or Sort by Machining Features). Both views have a similar presentation, but properties associated to the elements differ. Edition and sharing of data are available at each hierarchy level.

The general presentation is as follows:



In the example above, the three machining operations share the same geometry but control it through their own technology data (for example, specific jump distances).This is the way to overload technology data on the same position/axis data: This data cannot be moved to the operation data structure.

Pattern Data Edition Concepts

Pattern geometry and/or technology data are accessible depending on whether they are shared by other pattern technology data and/or operations.

All pattern data are accessible, when the data are not shared, as follows:

  • Double-click a pattern geometry entity in the Manufacturing View to edit the geometry. If the pattern geometry is shared, all modifications is propagated. Pattern technology data are not shown.
  • Double-click a machining pattern entity in the Manufacturing View to edit the technology data.
    • If the pattern technology data are shared, all modifications is propagated.
    • If the underlying geometry is not shared, it is modified here.
    • If the geometry is shared, only Jump Distance and Pattern Ordering mode is modified in the Machining Pattern dialog box. However, modifications is done on the pattern geometry entity.

When inserting a new pattern, geometry and technology data are always accessible and editable.

Existing machining patterns is used during geometry edition to add all their positions to the current pattern geometry.

Sharing and Duplicating Pattern Data Concepts

Pattern data is shared and duplicated from the pattern list found in the geometry tab of the Machining Operation or from the Manufacturing View.

From the list in the Machining Operation, you can:

  • Select a Machining Pattern to share the pattern data. If another operation already references the Machining Pattern, all the pattern technology data and geometry is shared.
  • Select Copy From Current to modify the pattern data of the current operation without impacting other operations.
    • The pattern geometry and the machining pattern are duplicated.
    • The original hierarchy is kept.
    • The pattern data are not shared.
  • Select New from Current (share geometry).
    • The pattern geometry is shared.
    • The machining pattern is duplicated.


From the context menu in the Manufacturing View , you can select New from current to duplicate the data of the current entity and manage the sharing of its child/parent entities, in local copy mode.

  • At the pattern geometry level, the pattern geometry is duplicated and a new parent pattern is created:
    • New pattern technology data are created with default values (no isolated pattern geometry in model).
    • No pattern data share.


  • At the machining pattern level:
    • The pattern geometry is shared.
    • The machining pattern is duplicated.


Note: Copy/Paste of a Machining Pattern or a Machining Operation in the Manufacturing View not only duplicates the data of the current copied entity but also all the child entities.