Creating a plane through two axis

leecasey

Hi, I'm trying to create a plane through the axis (which don't exist) of these two bars. I am coming from Creo so I'd probably just create an axis and then make it parallel to right right datum plane. However, I'm struggling to figure out how I do that here. Whats the correct procedure? 

eric_pesty

I think the quickest way to get that would be to create a sketch on one of the cylinder ends and draw a line going to the center of the other cylinder, maybe add a line segment normal to that to be able to fully define the plane (or depending on what you need to do you can probably use one of the sketch mate connectors directly.

bruce_williams

another way is to just add Mate connectors to 3 ends and then make 3 point plane.  Mate connectors are powerful little guys.

steve_shubin

@leecasey

@eric_pesty and @bruce_williams both give great solutions

Here is an additional method

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/e63bac33aa02ae125fad2571/w/e4cc1a84322b70940d0821ef/e/c72dc97e4ae3d3b38cb85758

The plane is created through the use of the MultiMateConnector featurescript
I created the sketch using the mate connector as the plane, in order to show how the rectangle was on plane with both axes

eric_pesty

@steve_shubin
I did not realize MutliMateConnector could "figure out" a direction from two cylindrical faces like this! Good to know!

The "standard" mate connector really needs to have more options (i.e. most of the MMC one)!

steve_shubin

@eric_pesty

MultiMateConnector - I really like that tool

leecasey

Hi Eric, to draw a sketch as an axis would need a plane through the rods which is what I’m trying to achieve. I could offset from the right plane but I didn’t want to do that as every time I increase the size I’ll have to remember to move the offset datum. I’m new to Onshape so not sure if relations exist. I’d really like to be able to add data I’m axis. I’ll check feature requests. 

_anton

Another idea: if you know the offset (distance and direction) of the rod centerlines, you can store the distance in a variable and use that: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/a03b23fd4ec3531ddf74f508/w/60b41b970c913f494b48ac3e/e/f965f86d2b31a079fcf9a2a2

(The sketch here is made using an implicit mate connector relative to the origin, realigned normal to the right plane, and shifted along z by the distance variable.)

eric_pesty

@leecasey
I meant from a top view:

dirk_van_der_vaart

Here's a basic solution, create a 3d spline between two sketches and then use Line Angle Plane
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/fbfb9c3a24ccea2919687b0b/w/27d5b6e42501dcb681a7190f/e/9018839cdf09db6127a9d793

eric_pesty

@leecasey
If you have at least one point on the centerline of the one of the cylinders, you can actually use the curve/point plane option like this:

steve_shubin

MultiMateConnector can be a little tricky to use

In the GIF above, here is the order of things

1. DEFINITION TYPE - Centroid
2. Then click on cylindrical face of cylinder “A”
3. PRIMARY AXIS DEFINITION - Face normal
4. Then click on cylindrical face of cylinder “B”
5. SECONDARY AXIS DEFINITION - Face normal
6. Then click on cylindrical face of cylinder “A”
7. Click on CONSTRUCTION
8. Click on ADD TRANSFORM
9. Set ROTATE Y (rotY) to  90°
10. Click on Green checkmark

You now have a Mate Connector that can act as a plane for a sketch

Note that clicking on CONSTRUCTION, reveals or shows the mate connector

Also note that whichever part you use for Centroid in DEFINITION TYPE, well that also needs to be used for SECONDARY AXIS - and the PRIMARY AXIS is to be the other cylinder.