Reading a sensor to drive a dimension?

[dedevo]

I have a Kingpin at the front.
I have my suspension at the back.
Road laws state that you can have an overhang off the back of 0.35*(distance from kingpin to wheelbase)

The suspension and kingpin have their dimensions driven by different components.
I want to make a plane with the proper offset off the back of the chassis.

I tried using a sensor, and drive the plane dimension by an equation, but it doesn't work.
I looked at linking dimensions, but couldn't think of a way to properly link it.

Any thoughts?

Devon, EIT [Mechanical]
Solidworks 2011 SP 1.0

 

[rstupplebeen]

Could you post a picture?

Rob Stupplebeen

https://sites.google.com/site/robertkstupplebeen/

 

[dedevo]

Here's a pic.

The Kingpin is located based on the front of the chassis.
The Suspension is located based on the rear of the chassis.
The length of the chassis is independent of both.

You can see the overhang plane. (ignore the other planes, they are for other components)

Devon, EIT [Mechanical]
Solidworks 2011 SP 1.0

 

[MDGroup]

This might be what you are looking for:

Create a sketch plane perpendicular to the truck.
Draw a line from the front to the back. This should come in 'gray' because it will change based on the model.
Now create another line extending off the back. Use an equation to set its lenght to .35* the 'grey' dimension.

Create a reference plane thru the end point of the second line.

When things change, you may need to refresh a few times so everything updates.

See attached image (I will also post the SW model)

Hope this helps.

 

[MDGroup]

Here is a mock SW model of your situation.

Hopefully this will help you figure it out.

Change the lenght of the extrusion, and the offset plane will update respective to the new length. Refresh twice for it to completely update.