Selecting center points in assembly mates

[dgiy]

First let me say that I am new to Solidworks.
I have used Mechanical Desktop for a number of years and I must say that in the little time I have been using SW I like it a lot more than Mechanical Desktop.

Now for the question.
(I searched but couldn't find it in the archives, although I am sure someone has asked it before.)

If you want to mate two cylinders in an assembly, is there a way to specify the centers and then make them concentric?? When I try to select the center of the faces I can only select the edge or the face. Or if I have a cone that I want to put the tip of on the center of a cylinder endface, again I can't seem to select the cylinder endface center.

Suggestions appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

DG

 

[TheTick]

You should be able to make concentric mates by selecting conical or cylindrical faces.

If you are actually unable to select the faces, you are probably having issues with your graphics driver. Try using selection filters to block selection of everything but faces to see if you can select the faces.

Make sure the surfaces are actually cylindrical or conical (especially important if you are working with imported geometry). From the top menu, select Tools --> Temporary Axes" to make the feature axes visible. If your cylinders and cones do not show axes, then they are not being recognized as revolved surfaces and a concentric mate is not possible.

I may make you feel, but I can't make you think.

 

[MechEng13]

The First thing I would try, from you description of the problem, is to turn on the Temp Axes by, going to, menu, View, Temporary Axes. Then Mate the Axis of the Cone to the Center Axis of the Cylinder. To get to cylinders concentric just select the inner surfaces and you should be able to select the Concentric mate.

HTH

Alan M. Etzkorn
Manufacturing Engineer
Hoffco/Comet Industries Inc.

http://www.hoffcocomet.com

 

[StarrRider]

dickgiznya

This is occasionally needed – select View and turn on Temporary Axis – You will see a small hidden line in the center of the hole that will allow you to mate the axis together

This is not needed most of the time – selecting the inside surface of a hole and the outside surface of a cylinder will automatically create a Concentric mate for you

You can also create 2 mates at once by selecting the edge of the hole and the edge of the screw (where the cylinder meets the head – this will create a concentric mate and a coincident mate

With cones – Like a flat head screw and a counter sunk hole – if the angles are identical then select each angled surface and adding a Coincident mate – If there is already a concentric mate to the screw’s body - I do have to warn you - uses closest with preview on this mate because the logic always looks just flat wrong - but it will slide the screw into the counter sink until the faces meet

Lee

You are just jealous because the voices only talk to me.

 

[dgiy]

Thanks guys
I just needed to play a bit more but now I understand the logic for the mates. Just took some getting used to.

DG