Aligning a number of parts - how?? 1

[FreddyB]

Maybe I should know this - but I don't:

Ok, if I have two parts in an assembly I can select a surface on each to line them up by using 'coincident' i.e. aligning the ends of two shafts.

What if there are more shafts, say 3 or ten even? From what I can see, you can only select two parts at a time to use the coincident mate. That means that at the moment I go through the numerous items, selecting them in pairs until the faces on each are all on a common plane. Tedious!

Somebody please tell me there is an easier way!

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

There is an easier way.

 

[FreddyB]

Thanks! I feel better knowing that.

 

[FreddyB]

Please tell

 

[ShaggyPE]

One way could be "mate references" but that requires you to set up the parts for the mate. Another method might involve assembly patterns.

I am curious what CBL suggests. Because I know it is not as simple as selecting many faces and then applying a coincident mate. That works for sketch relations... but not mates.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Smart Mates;

http://help.solidworks.com/2011/Eng...help/sldworks/assem_1/SmartMates_Overview.htm

Mate References;

http://help.solidworks.com/2011/Eng...yhelp/sldworks/assem_1/HIDD_DVE_POS_GROUP.htm

Smart Components;

http://help.solidworks.com/2011/Eng...works/assembly2/creating_smart_components.htm

 

[FreddyB]

Thanks CBL. Unfortunately none of those is simple or particularly easy.

All I want to do is select a face on more than two parts and get them to align to a common plane. I can't be the only one who needs that?

 

[dedevo]

"Copy With Mates"
Is what I would use for your application.

That way you only have to select the "new" face to make it coincident.

http://help.solidworks.com/2011/Eng...acyhelp/sldworks/assem_1/hidd_repeat_mate.htm

Devon Murray, EIT [Mechanical]
Solidworks 2011 SP 2.0

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Because I know it is not as simple as selecting many faces and then applying a coincident mate.

Actually that's exactly what you can do ... sometimes. Just select the faces before activating the Mate tool

See also Mate Property manager > Multiple Mate Mode;

http://help.solidworks.com/2011/Eng...cyhelp/sldworks/assem_1/hidd_new_add_mate.htm

 

[FreddyB]

Thanks CBL - and everyone. I never knew!!

Selecting the faces BEFORE selecting the mate tool! I just knew it had to be easier than what I had been doing.

Thanks again.

 

[ShaggyPE]

Actually that's exactly what you can do ... sometimes. Just select the faces before activating the Mate tool

Excellent... when was that functionality added. I know it was not there in 2006 ish.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I have no idea when it was introduced. I only just found out before posting.

After playing around a bit more, I've found you don't need to pre-select the faces. but when I first tried, the Multi-mate icon wasn't available till I had pre-selected. Strange!

 

[FreddyB]

It aways amazes me how much of SolidWorks none of us know. There are always little tricks like this to be learned. You feel dumb asking the question but this is an example of when many get to learn something. I guess many others too, reading this now or at some future date.

I just love forums!

 

[FreddyB]

OK, so it's a new day.

Just tried it again and can't now get it to work!!! Can't find that Multiple mates icon either. I'm confused. It worked perfectly last night.

I have even tried SWX 2010 and 2011 but both the same.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

My install is still OK (SW2011-SP2).

So, when opening the Mate Manager you don't see this?

What do you see if you pre-select some faces?

 

[Eltron]

Yeah, Multimates is the way to go. Select the electric paperclip, and the rest is pretty self-explanatory.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[FreddyB]

Happy again now!

Thanks again :-D