Variables Making Holes

noah_lacorazza

I am designing a part in which needs a hole every 0.5in. And I would like to apply a variable that can change the length of the part, while also keeping that hole 0.5in away from the ends and one another. How do you think I should go about this?

S1mon

Try adding this custom feature: Linear Pattern Plus.

GregBrown

You could set up a couple of variables starting with your #target_length of part, #target_end_gap, and #target_spacing. This will give you a calculated length of the pattern of holes, and thus the number of #gaps between the holes (possibly including a fractional part of a hole...) Now you can round this up, and recalculate the #actual_length of the part. Use this to drive the extrude dimension, create a sketch on the part which is offset from each end by the #end_gap variable, create a hole at one end and curve pattern the hole feature with the right number of holes (#gaps +1). 

The rounding and recalculating maybe a bit over the top, but I thought it was fun to include. That way you can input any length you like and it will still work out.

Maybe an example is easier to follow!
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/0582cfeee92c71fb38f9552b/w/06a3d0f80fd2bfd74a9d7904/e/3092b83245527a2d99701ac6

You can obviously drive this different ways, e.g. the target number of holes... basically anything to derive an actual part length that gives you the right end_gaps and spacing.

Also, I've used the center distance between the holes as the measurement, but you can rework this for whatever...