creating predefined hole pattern features

[aruzgys]

Hi,

Something im not sure if its even possible, looking to have a set of predefined hole patterns to replicate SAE flange tapping details on manifolds.

Currently we just use a chart based on ISO6162-1 & ISO6162-2

Would be handy to have this a feature where the hole size, drilling depth, & tapping depth, as well as sketch pattern width & length are predefined.

[tbraxton]

You can use user defined features to implement this. User Defined Features (UDFs) are groups of features stored in a file that allow users to reuse geometry and modeling features in new parts and assemblies, saving time and effort in repetitive design tasks.

About User-Defined Features

Creo Parametric - User Defined Features (UDFs)

[aruzgys]

I had tried that, however im not sure how to change the tapped hole size, its not something i seem to be able to include in the family table.

Its a pretty basic 4 hole pattern, with m8, m10, m12 & m16 fasteners, Any tips?

[tbraxton]

Is it a requirement that you use a family table to drive all versions of the UDF needed in this context? What advantage do you see in using a family table in this scenario? While possible, it may likely be faster for you to create a nominal size 13 (m8) and create and test the UDF to confirm it functions as needed. Once this is working you can just use the save as to create a copy and modify the model to comply with another nominal size as required. This will result in a unique UDF for each nominal size of flange which can be placed into a new design model.

[aruzgys]

During concept they often move around or get scaled up/down as required until system layouts are more locked in, so was hoping to be able to swap between the predefined hole sets vs having to reference a chart or redo a feature that components within a higher level assembly would be linked to.

Some may be able to be grouped but somewhat defeats the purpose, Ill keep trying some options & see what i can come up with.

[tbraxton]

I am not totally clear on your use case. Unless something has changed recently; If you are using a standard metric hole feature (which uses the hole tables installed by Creo during installation), you are not able to change the hole size with a family table instance. This makes use of a family table onerous hence my recommendation to create a UDF for each nominal size defined in ISO-6162-1-SAE-J518.

If you have a UDF for multiple nominal sizes, then you can add or remove these as needed in a model. When you place a UDF in a model it is placed as a group, as long as you do not use any of these features as a reference then deleting them should not be an issue. You can then place another UDF for the nominal size needed.