Dimension controlled by a distance mate...or vice versa

[JDswri]

Hello all. I have an assembly with a slider block in it, so naturally it is not fully constrained. As I slide it to new positions I would like a plane to move relative (in fact perpendicular) the same distance.

I know you can link dimensions but is there a way to link a dimension to a distance mate (or preferably a distance mate to a dimension), or another solution to this problem. Thanks so much for the help

JD

 

[TheTick]

Link

 

[JDswri]

tick, thanks for the reply. From what I understand links works for dimensions only. What i need is a link for a dimension and a distance mate.

 

[JMirisola]

If you double-click on the distance mate, it's current dimension will show up in the graphics area. This will allow you to select it so you can create the link.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE
CAD Administrator, Ultimate Survival Technologies
My Blog

 

[JDswri]

Jmirisola, its difficult for me to explain why that isn't working for me but I'll try:

I want to control both the distance mate and the planes' dimension with a global variable called "offset". If I link just the mate value to "offset", or just the plane dimension to "offset" they will work fine. But when I link both of them to "offset" I get an error: 'Incompatible range of values make these dimensions unlinkable'.

Now both of these values are strictly linear dimensions so ideally there should be no problem.

But okay, so I dont need to have them linked to one global variable: Instead, I can have the planes' dimension linked to "offset" and "offset" linked to the distance mate value. This gives me no error, but when I change the distance mate value and rebuild, "offset" changes, but the plane dimension does not update or change.

Something funny is going on here. Any ideas?

Thanks, JD

 

[JMirisola]

Often times, when you go "double-deep" like that, it takes multiple refreshes...You're probably running into problems with your original setup because of circular referencing.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE
CAD Administrator, Ultimate Survival Technologies
My Blog

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

If the offset plane is in the assy (at the same level as the mate), the Link Values function should work. At least it does for me.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Setting a Global Variable in Equations works at multiple levels, if the other mates and plane offsets are also linked via the Equations.

 

[JDswri]

corblimey, you were absolutely right. I think the problem I was having was that I was trying to 'Link' the dimensions to the global variable rather than define an equation that sets the dimenstion equal to the global. Apparently it likes that better. thanks for the help everyone