Can I import a part to use as a negative extrude in the face of another part, for a tight fit?

chris_fontes

Im new to CAD (approx 10-15hrs of onshape) and starting to get the hang of onshape but I'm stuck. Couldn't find a good tutorial accomplishing a similar design. I'm trying to make a tool tray for long hex sockets. I was thinking there's a way to parts design each socket, then import each one to the part design of a tray and use the sockets to cut away the face of the tray for a snug fit. Closest I got was with the Detrived tool but I not sure how to fully use that tool. Thanks for any advice or helpful links.  https://cad.onshape.com/documents/ce063455a385560504816b05/w/b3469b15e7ad7978c403cea0/e/bf5c3fea06cede31fcb4a972

David_YL_Nguyen

Hey @chris_fontes,

You can use the Boolean function to subtract one part from another. After that you can pattern it.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/38933a2adb515d52f6b68a84/w/cfee39bd2fe0495ab26a843a/e/217fa3f1c5f5869a8b761558

eric_pesty

You could also use an assembly with you part and the sockets, and then do an "in context edit" and use the boolean on that, it would be faster than deriving in and transforming each one.

I would suggest using the "offset" option in the boolean tool to add a bit of clearance so parts fit nicely.

David_YL_Nguyen

Hey @chris_fontes,

You can use the Boolean function to subtract one part from another. After that you can pattern it.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/38933a2adb515d52f6b68a84/w/cfee39bd2fe0495ab26a843a/e/217fa3f1c5f5869a8b761558

eric_pesty

You could also use an assembly with you part and the sockets, and then do an "in context edit" and use the boolean on that, it would be faster than deriving in and transforming each one.

I would suggest using the "offset" option in the boolean tool to add a bit of clearance so parts fit nicely.

chris_fontes

thank you. I will try that out

nick_papageorge073

The in context edit mentioned above is the most efficient way.

However, do you really need to model the sockets at all? If all you need is round holes to hold the sockets, you can just do that with a sketch of varying sized circles and a single extrude. If on the other hand you want to learn how to do this, and/or you want to model "all" of your tools and arrange them optimally on a tray, then in-contrxt is well worth knowing.

chris_fontes

Well my first issue, that I didn't explain, was that I couldn't figure out how to lay the sockets flat, not standing up. I figured out that I need to model them on the face plane. Then derive, transform xyz. 

eric_pesty

chris_fontes said:

Well my first issue, that I didn't explain, was that I couldn't figure out how to lay the sockets flat, not standing up. I figured out that I need to model them on the face plane. Then derive, transform xyz. 

It doesn't matter how you model them you can use the transform to lay them flat as well, same if you used the assembly approach. 
Have you tried the "transform by mate connector" option? It lets you position things exactly where you want them in one step.

chris_fontes

I did not. I have no clue how to use 70% of the tools. I'm enjoying the learning process here and will definitely try that out. But I think the tool tray came out great. https://cad.onshape.com/documents/ce063455a385560504816b05/w/b3469b15e7ad7978c403cea0/e/bf5c3fea06cede31fcb4a972