How can I make an array of shapes on a sketch?

[tml]

Hi,
This is my first post on this forum so I'd like to say hello all!

I am new to FreeCAD, have watched quite some videos on YT but I can't figure out how I can make convert an Array into shapes on a sketch.

Here's what I need to do: I have a flat cylinder (2mm thick and 395/2mm in radius) and I want to cover it with Through-all slots (rectangles of 18mm/0.7mm).
They shall be shifted in X-axis by 10mm and in Y-axis by 18mm, 4 of them look like this:

screen3.png (10.62 KiB) Viewed 2532 times

I tried to make an Array of Pockets but I failed and on this forum I found a suggestion to use Linear Pattern Feature. That doesn't solve my problem really as I finally need to delete all slots that don't fully fit into the cylinder; only full slots are allowed, no ones that are drilled on half or so.

So I guess I need to somehow be able to pick and delete individual puckets/holes. I found a way to breakdown Array of sketches into individual shapes and then pick individual ones to delete them. But, of course I cannot make a Pocket of Array of Sketches like I stated above. Ideally I'd like leverage Array option rather than placing hundred of slots manually as it may be possible that I will want to change the slot size or distance.

I want to end up with what looks like this from XY plane:

screen4.png (33.03 KiB) Viewed 2506 times

Can you provide me a hint how to move forward?

[DeepSOIC]

Hi!
I maintain a whole workbench aimed at arraying, Lattice workbench.
However, this can be achieved with a bit of Draft Array and Part Boolean, if you don't mind cutting off pieces off some of the slots.

[tml]

Problem is I don't know how to use Array and Booleans to achieve the goal.
I was able to break down the slot onto a single edges, which doesn't make any sense, I'd need to group them back into complete slots.
I'd like to transform/make a projection of an Array of shapes onto multiple shapes on a single Sketch (or at least make a separate Sketch per each element of an Array).

[renatorivo]

do you want something like this?

array.png (13.13 KiB) Viewed 2514 times

[tml]

do you want something like this?

This is very close, with 3 differences:
1. columns of slots shall be shifted of 1/2 length of a slot
2. on your model some of the slots go out of the cylinder plane and make the circumference cut. If there is a slot that does not fit to the plane it should be deleted and not "pocket" the cylinder. This is exactly where I figured out I need to be able to select those slots on the edge of the cylinder to delete them so that they do not destroy circumference
3. no inner hole, but that's cosmetic
Please see my 1st post updated.

[renatorivo]

I send you my files

array2.FCStd

(586.96 KiB) Downloaded 38 times

after creating the array uses Draft ->Downgrade to obtain individual solids and select the useful ones and then fuse them.
I duplicated the array before the downgrade.

array parziale.png (5.27 KiB) Viewed 2503 times

[renatorivo]

sorry, I saw after your changes to your first post, but with the array options, it should not be difficult to place the slots as needed,
Renato

FreeCAD Version: 0.16.6395 (Git)

[tml]

Thank you for trying to help me

The shape of the slot is a rounded rectangle based upon a Sketch, not a Box:

screen5.png (6.23 KiB) Viewed 2469 times

Here's my Array:

screen6.png (111.91 KiB) Viewed 2469 times

When I Draft->Downgrade the Array for the 1st time it becomes an Array without child items, unfortunately none of the slots are individually selectable:

screen7.png (100.53 KiB) Viewed 2469 times

After 2nd Draft->Downgrade of this Array object all edges are now separated and I could merge them back but I'd need to do it manually for all slots (and I want 100+ of them). Well, this is working by design (http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.ph ... _Downgrade says "otherwise all wires found in the selection are exploded into single edges"):

screen8.png (114.1 KiB) Viewed 2469 times

Making Pad from this slot Sketch and then creating an Array of Pad doesn't work just like Array from Pockets doesn't work.

Any idea how I could move forward with this?

Version: 0.14.3702 (Git)

[renatorivo]

Hi,
for me it also works with a solid based on a sketch.
After you create the array, try using Part-> Create a simple copy. Then use the copy.

Here my array of solid based on a sketch Slot

arraysketch.png (15.36 KiB) Viewed 2458 times

[tml]

Hi,
for me it also works with a solid based on a sketch.
After you create the array, try using Part-> Create a simple copy. Then use the copy.

Thank you! This is exactly what helped me!
This is just a temporary slot placement but your trick did the work:

screen9.png (92.47 KiB) Viewed 2447 times