Part follow contours on assembly?

[jeffatmines]

Is it possible to have a part follow the contours of another in an assembly? Say I'm trying to add a square of thin rubber to a surface. I'd like the rubber part to follow the contours of what I'm attaching it to. Is this even possible?

Jeff Parham
Mechanical Engineer - Design
New Product Development
Colorado School of Mines '09

 

[dgallup]

Just use the other parts edges or surfaces as a reference in the sketch. You will have to change the assembly and part reference scope to allow external references.

Another approach is to use copy geometry. Create the curves, etc in a skeleton part and use it to drive both parts.

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[Tunalover]

I would recommend doing as dgallup recommends with one difference. Create the part while in assembly mode and use edges of the other parts to define the shape of the new part. Of course this introduces external references to the new part. External references are something that good modeling practices say to avoid. Therefore, go redefine and dimension each edge to completely do away with the external references. As long as the other parts in the assembly don't change, you're part will conform to the other parts in the assembly and be free of external references.



Tunalover

 

[geesamand]

I do this by using the Copy Surface method. Then you can make an offset surface to add thickness. Trim the surfaces with curves and connect the perimeter of the two surfaces to generate a solid.

David

 

[jeffatmines]

Hmmm...Those would work for a single surface, but if this rubber/flexible part is a common part used on several different surfaces, I would need to have a unique part for each surface, plus a flat part for a drawing. What I would love to be able to do is model the part flat. Then when it's put into an assembly, have it conform to the surface to which it's being applied. It could be a rubber mat, a vinyl decal, or anything flexible...a flexible part model that would act similar to an actual piece of flexible material.

Jeff Parham
Mechanical Engineer - Design
New Product Development
Colorado School of Mines '09