Help needed on sketch

Hi There,

I have a situation where a customer has requested the attached file be repeated over a 8' x 4' sheet of aluminum. The want it laser cutout as a screen.

I must be missing something because the file seems HUGE, how can i make it smaller and insert it over and over.

I tried making it a block, but it was still unusable, i inserted it and made copies/patterns and it is stiull unusable.

The rebuild of the drawing takes ages, and freezes my system.

i have never had to do this kind of repeating pattern, so i am hoping someone can point me in the right direction please.

SolidworksSketching