This strain mode uses the same average strain magnitude as assumed uniform strain, but it subdivides that strain into anisotropic components based on the local orientation of scan vectors within the part. This strain mode requires the creation of scan vectors using user-provided scan settings or by reading scan vectors from a machine's build file. This extra step results in a small, increased amount of simulation time compared to assumed uniform strain. For parts where the scan pattern is randomized, scan pattern and assumed strain should give a similar answer. For parts where the scan patterns are aligned, scan pattern strain will result in a more accurate prediction. As in an Assumed Strain simulation, you will need to calibrate for Strain Scaling Factor.

See Performing a Scan Pattern Simulation for procedures.