6.1.2 Extending the base module

Subsequently, a mirrored copy of the base cell is generated. Both Formices are translated to their appropriate side by side position with the translate()-option and form the complete extended base module with 4 by 4 dimensions as depicted in Figure 6.3. Furthermore, both Formices are defined as an attribute of the DoubleHelixStent class by the self-statement, allowing their use after every DoubleHelixStent initialisation. Such further use is impossible with local variables, such as for example the NE and SE Formices.

        # and create its mirror
        cell2 = cell1.reflect(2)
        # and move both to appropriate place
        self.cell1 = cell1.translate([1.,1.,0.])
        self.cell2 = cell2.translate([-1.,-1.,0.])
        # the base pattern cell1+cell2 now has size [-2,-2]..[2,2]

**Figure 6.3:** Creation of the complete extended base module (b) from the original and mirrored (a) unit cell.