Hole Size Test Plate Generator

Hole Size Test Plate Generator

File: Shape_Generation_Scripts/Hole_Size_Test_Plate_Generator.py
Version: 1.1
Document Type: Part

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Description

Generates a flat rectangular pad with a grid of through-holes of incrementally increasing diameter. Use this plate to test drill bit sizes, pin gauges, clearance fits, or any other hole-dependent process. The grid layout is calculated automatically from the hole count. Settings are saved between sessions.

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Requirements

Requirement	Value
Python	>= 3.10
pycatia	>= 0.8.3
wxPython	Required
Open document	Part
Hybrid Design Mode	Should be off (script handles this automatically)

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Usage

1. Open a CATPart document
2. Run the script
3. The parameter dialog appears — enter your plate and hole parameters (see below)
4. Click OK — a progress bar shows while the geometry is being created
5. The test plate is added as a new body in the part

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Parameters

Parameter	Description	Default
Pad Width	Width of the plate in the X direction (mm)	300.0 mm
Pad Length	Length of the plate in the Y direction (mm)	300.0 mm
Pad Thickness	Height of the plate in the Z direction (mm)	5.0 mm
Number of Holes	Total hole count; layout is calculated automatically	9
Starting Diameter	Diameter of the first (top-left) hole (mm)	2.0 mm
Diameter Step	Amount each subsequent hole diameter increases by (mm)	1.0 mm

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Grid Layout

Holes are arranged in a rectangular grid, filled left-to-right and top-to-bottom in order of increasing diameter:

• Columns = ceil(sqrt(n_holes))
• Rows = ceil(n_holes / cols)

Example — 9 holes, start 2 mm, step 1 mm:

[D2]  [D3]  [D4]
[D5]  [D6]  [D7]
[D8]  [D9]  [D10]

A step of 0 creates a grid of identical holes. A negative step creates holes in decreasing order.

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Dialog Buttons

Button	Action
OK	Validates inputs and generates the test plate
Cancel	Exits without generating
Reset Defaults	Restores factory default values (fields flash green)
Clear Saved	Deletes the saved user presets file
Help	Opens the full in-script user manual

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Fit Validation

The dialog shows a live grid preview including cell size and the percentage of the cell used by the largest hole. The script warns or errors if:

• The largest hole uses more than 85% of the cell width (tight fit warning — can proceed)
• The largest hole diameter meets or exceeds the cell size (error — must change values)
• Any hole would have zero or negative diameter (error)

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Settings Persistence

Parameters are saved automatically to:

%APPDATA%\pycatia_scripts\Hole_Size_Test_Plate_Generator\user_presets.json

The next time the script runs, your last-used values are pre-filled in the dialog.

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Notes

• The plate is centred on the XY plane origin
• The body is named with all key parameters for easy identification (e.g. Test Plate | 300.0x300.0x5.0mm | 9 Holes | D2.00-D10.00mm | Step:1.00mm)
• Each hole is a CATIA Part Design Hole feature (through-all, simple type), named with its index and diameter (e.g. Hole_01_D2.00mm)
• Hole sketches are hidden automatically to keep the feature tree clean
• If an error occurs during generation the incomplete body is automatically deleted and a detailed error report is shown
• Hybrid Design Mode is temporarily disabled during generation if it is on, and restored afterwards