How can I specify the direction of a linear pattern with a round part in assembly?

james_howard360

I want to pattern parts in a direction for which I have no reference edges or faces, so I can't select the "Direction". Is there another way to select the direction (and if not, why?)

NeilCooke

You could try making a mate connector and using that as a reference? 

romeograham

Because Onshape assemblies don't have default planes (or any "directionality" at all, other than the location of the origin), one of the first things I do when building up a new Assembly is to create 3 Mate Connectors at the Origin, with their Z-axis pointing in all three assembly axis directions...then I have a X, Y, and Z direction reference to use in the assembly. You can fix parts to these MCs, or use them for direction reference for patterns (this also ensures that patterns stay robust if you change a component that was used as a reference.

I find I have to hide the existing MCs as I create more, since they interfere with the selection of the origin. You'll also need to rotate the view a bit to wake of the automatic Y-axis reference (watch as the last MC is created). 


Good luck!

james_howard360

I hadn't thought of using a mate connector, thanks!

Jozef_Benz67

Very helpful! Thank you very much! 👍🏼