How to Create a Repeat in SOLIDWORKS (Linear, Circular, Using a Sketch)

A repetition duplicates a function (or a set) according to a rule: Linear repetition along one or two directions, Circular Repetition around an axis, Sketch-Driven Iteration at points you choose freely, Table-Driven Rehearsal with coordinates. These can be found under Functions → Linear Repetition (drop-down menu). The golden rule: repeat the function, not redraw, so that everything updates when the first instance changes.

Linear repetition

1. Create the first instance (e.g., a hole).
2. Features → Linear repetition. Direction 1: Click an edge; spacing and number of occurrences (or «Up to the reference»). Direction 2 if using a grid.
3. Functions to repeat: Select the hole. Option Instances to ignore to close out positions.

Circular Repetition

1. Features → Circular Repetition. Axis: a cylinder, a circular edge, or a temporary axis (View → Temporary Axes).
2. Equal spacing with 360° and the number of occurrences, or a fixed angle between occurrences.
3. Functions to be repeated and validated.

Sketch-Driven Iteration

1. Sketch some points in the desired positions (on the relevant side).
2. Features → Sketch-Driven Iteration : Select the point sketch, the function to repeat, and the reference point (center of the original function).

Table-Driven Rehearsal

For dozens of positions from a table (Excel): Functions → Table-Driven Iteration; import the X/Y coordinates relative to a defined coordinate system.

The Pitfall to Watch Out For

There are two mistakes that come up time and time again. The first: repeating body instead of functions on a single-body part (this results in separate bodies). The second: forget Repetition Geometry during large-scale iterations (a grid of 500 holes without this option would require several minutes to reconstruct). Check this option when the repeated function does not depend on the surrounding geometry.

Further Reading : Find All of our SOLIDWORKS tutorials and the SOLIDWORKS Training by Ohmytraining.