Path Mate

Stuart_Tod

This mate has worked it's way to the very top of my Onshape wishlist. I've got a project stalled because I can't begin to model the mechanisms without having components following a 3-D path. I've already done it both in SW and Inventor, and feel it should be one of the basic Mates in the toolbox.

Well, I could model it, but there's no point. I want to see it working when I rotate components, and I need to know they follow the path I want them to!

Does this automatically raise a 'ticket' for this feature? Or add me to the list?

nav

Hi @stuart_tod the fastest way to raise a ticket is to click on the question mark in the top right of the CAD workspace and then use the "feedback" link in the dropdown list.

Stuart_Tod

nav said:

Hi @stuart_tod the fastest way to raise a ticket is to click on the question mark in the top right of the CAD workspace and then use the "feedback" link in the dropdown list.

Thanks, Nav - I've just added feedback as you described.

Anyone else want a Path Mate? (and, I presume, the ability to draw paths/splines in 3-D...)

Stuart

dennis_20

Path/cam mates are vital to mechanical design.  I know this is on the to-do list for OnShape, but only they and the great engineer above know when it might be implemented.

OnShape, please add me to list of those wanting this capability!

anton_kalisiak

I am going to assume that there hasn't been any progress on this since the last post was in 2015, 2019 right now FYI.

NeilCooke

@anton_kalisiak tangent mate was added to simulate cams. Path mates are something completely different. Please create or vote on an improvement request in the category on the right. 

anton_kalisiak

I am definitely interested in the path mate, tangent mate while useful does have it's shortcomings.  (no offense) Unfortunately I'm not really interested in helping to develop or suggest new features.  I would rather it work or be available, I did a search through some feature scripts to now avail and then came here, that's all the effort I really want to devote to a CAD program other than the work that needs to be completed within it.  The answer isn't here or developed yet so it is what it is.

john_mcclary

Unfortunately featurescript is limited to partstudios only.
Mates are an assembly level thing so I'm sorry to say there is nothing the community can do to help that one 

It always helps to add your vote to an improvement request too
Here is the closest one I could find for path mate https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/9429/mating-with-ropes-and-pulleys-path-mate

Path mates are technically possible today, unfortunately they are not a one click setup.
Mine cart example: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/292af20b6c06ac868e964caa/w/0e0df349e4eb1fb849ff3f48/e/066aadce57bdce7255d3e23d

kevin_elliott

I'm not sure if this gets what you'd want, but the Mine cart example perhaps points the way: Could one create a solid/surface with the intended path, insert it into the assembly & use the tangent mate to have the part follow the path? The surface/solid could then be hidden for visual effect.

A workaround, for sure but maybe no more work than it would be with a path mate.

john_mcclary

@kevin_elliott yea, you can do that also. I do consider these to be workarounds and would like a true path mate eventually. But in the mean time I can help point you in the direction of the workarounds.

Here is a similar example to inserting surfaces as paths, and how powerful even a workaround can be
https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/10484/rubiks-cube-mate-animation


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMTeEhbCPzo

kevin_elliott

john_mcclary said:

@kevin_elliott yea, you can do that also. I do consider these to be workarounds and would like a true path mate eventually. But in the mean time I can help point you in the direction of the workarounds.

Here is a similar example to inserting surfaces as paths, and how powerful even a workaround can be
https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/10484/rubiks-cube-mate-animation


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMTeEhbCPzo

Impressive!! Can't believe he only had 6 likes on Youtube...

john_mcclary

Hah, now that you mention it, it just went up to 12 likes 
Thanks