Mirroring assembly features

[pietje]

I've designed a platform assembly which needs holes in it.
Making the holes is a bit tricky since all the surfaces on the platform have an angle or a radius (or both).
THerefore it would be nice if I could mirror a large number of these holes.

My plan was to add the holes as assembly features, since in real life they will be made once the whole platform is assembled (please do not debate my motivation ).
To my surprise I can't find a way to do this in an assembly ... It might be the wine from last night, but one hour of searching didn't shed any light on this matter.

Ofcourse I can add the holes in the different parts to conquer this problem or convert the assembly to a part first, but I am just curious if it really isn't possible. And if it is not possible: why??

Only thing I found on this subject is that is was on a top 10 enhancements request list dated back 2008.

Can someone tell me if mirroring assembly features is possible with SW2009??

 

[Eltron]

Nope, you can't mirror assembly features.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[pietje]

Okay, thanks...

Anyone knows the reason for this?

 

[MDGroup]

Assuming that you created your holes with a 'Cut-Extrude' feature:

Can you go back into each sketch and mirror the sketch about a line along the mid-plane? (rather than trying to mirror the feature after)
Each sketch should now cut the holes into both sides.

If the assy is symmetrical, even if each cut is set-up to go thru at an odd angle or surface, it should be identical on the other side.

 

[pietje]

I really put an effort in understanding what you mean, but still don't get it. I'm sorry.
Even if I manage to mirror a sketch... When I have two identical sketches that are on symmetric planes, I cannot use them both for one cut, I have to define seperate cuts with each sketch. And if you mean that I use a 3D-sketch, which doesn't support mirroring if I am correct, only patterning, a cut that uses two contours that do not share a plane do need to share the same cut direction... I don't see how that will give a mirrored cut.

But anyhow, what I find weird is that patterning extruded cuts is possible and straightforward mirroring isn't. There is probably a logical explanation..... if someone can enlighten me, let me know please.

 

[MDGroup]

pietje,
You are correct, mirroring the sketch would only work if all of the sketch planes/cuts were perpendicular to the midplane.

If your sketch plane is angled outward, when you mirror the sketch, your cut on the opposite side would now be angled in the wrong direction and in the wrong place.

Sorry. Good Luck!

 

[pietje]

no problem MD