Mate References

Is it possible to have a mate reference for a part that isn't
physically attached to the part itself? What I would like to do is
have a sketch in a part that I could use to position (mate) the part
into an assembly. Example: I have a plate with (2) holes in it that
show up about (30) places in my top level assembly, the customer now
wants a gusset plate welded to it between the (2) holes. In the gusset
part itself I made a sketch of the plate with the (2) holes, my
thought was making a mate reference using that sketch of the hole(s)
so I could then drag the part from the feature pallette and mate it
"automatically" in the assembly. Any help would be greatly
appreciated.

Brian Harris
Cobey Inc.

 

Yes, this can be done with a hidden surface body. I made a revolved
surface from an "L" shape to make a cylinder with a flange, and used the
circular edge between the round and the flat for the mate reference. Works
well.

http://users.adelphia.net/~mjlombard/mate_ref_off_part.SLDPRT

matt



(Brian Harris) wrote in

 

I might suggest using a temporary sub assembly

1) Make an assembly containing your plate with the holes and the gusset
mated as they should be
2) open your Main assembly and replace part (your plate with your new
assembly)
3) then you can disolve your 30 new subassemblys.

Corey Scheich

 

Corey,
Thanks for the idea - I did give that a thought & do agree it would
work in this particular situation. It's just that the mate reference
approach would come in handy in alot of other instances as well.

Thanks again

Brian Harris
Cobey Inc.

 

Matt,
Thanks for the idea - I'll give it a try and let you know how it worked.

Brian Harris
Cobey Inc.