Constrain a washer on the top center of a slot (MDT4,5,6,7).
First a note. When constraining two parts, the part lower in the browser tree will relocate itself on the part which is higher in the browser tree. This can be disconcerting when you are constraining a minor part to a major part and the major part relocates itself onto your casually placed minor part. If this is a concern you may wish to drag a part which is lower in the tree up above another part. With MDT4 it's just left click and drag but for MDT5,6 and 7(2004!) you have to also have to hold down Shift.
First constraint (face to face):-
Right click->Assembly Menu...)->Constrain 3D->Mate the bottom face of the washer to the top face of the slotted body. You may want to MOVE the washer to one side before commencing the next mate.
Second constraint (center of slot lines to axis of washer ..the tricky bit):-
Step1. RClick->Constrain 3D->Mate again and select one of the top slot lines that the washer will eventually sit on, left click again (once should do it) until the center of this line is highlighted (do not right click to accept this center point!). Now hover the cursor over the other top slot line (the mouse cursor tip will turn back into a selection rectangle) and left click to selecct it. Left click again until that lines center point is also highlighted. Still do not right click to accept anything! Now tap m (for Middle) at the command line and the middle of the slot will be indicated. Ok NOW you can right click to accept.
Step2. Left click on one of the circles of the washer which highlights the washer axis, right click to accept that axis and right click again accept the zero offset.
Done! Anyone else got something to share?
Cheers to all,
Aussie John (aka wpsmoke)
