Best way to layout parts to create a sketch for a cutout inside a case?

brad_simmons

So I have several parts in several studios that I want to layout on a plane to work out placement to fit within a given space (travel case).  Once the parts are laid out properly, I want to create a sketch and extrude of their outlines on a plane so I can then have a "negative" of the part's volume as a reference for a cutout for the case.  Think of it like a Pelican case with the foam cut perfectly to tools or something similar.  At this point, I'm not going to far in the weeds and working about 3D volume (unless there is an easy way).

I may also go the route of 3D printing the case insert so I need to account for tolerances.  With this in mind, I started by creating profile sketches of each part with the Use tool and then adding an offset.  I then copy/paste these sketches into a new sketch.  The issue here is all of these sketches are all unconstrained so I can only use Transform to try to arrange them.  It's alright but I cannot dimension off of side walls or other parts without breaking a sketch.  

After getting started and doing this for an hour I thought about using an assembly to mate everything on a plane and then move them around.  Problem here is some parts are cylindrical and I cannot figure out how to mate them to a plane with another part's flat surface.  Even if I succeeded in getting everything in somewhat of a plane in an Assembly, I don't see a way to derive or otherwise use that assembly back in a new part studio to allow me to create a sketch of the part perimeters. 

Hopefully I am explaining what I am trying to do clearly and apologies if I have made any mistakes with this post.  I've been reading and learning here quite a lot but this is the first post I've created.  I've also tried searching for the answer but I'm just not using the correct keyword I guess.

While I'm hesitant to share this document, I can create a simplified example if needed.  That way it would also be shared for future readers.

Thanks in advance for any help!

nick_papageorge_dayjob

I've done similar layouts a lot for electronic components in my product, where I needed mounting points for all the electronics on a plate (as one example).

The assembly route is the way to go, IMO.

First, have accurate models of each component. Whether you draw them from scratch, or import from a vendor. If drawing from scratch, often just a box is good enough, etc. You of course can decide how detailed they need to be for your project.

Next, make an assembly. Make an explicit mate connector on the origin as the first thing. Bring in all the parts. Mate each part to that MC, taking care that the implicit MC in your part matches the orientation of the explicit asm mc. Edit it if it does not. This will ensure X+ will move to the right, Z+ will move up, etc, every time you adjust position, and keep your mind sane:)

Orient the parts about how you want them using the offsets in each mate.

Then create a new part studio in-context, selecting the explicit asm mc as the origin.

Once in the context, you can reference the faces, edges, etc, of the parts you drew/imported, to make the cavities in your foam.

brad_simmons

nick_papageorge073 said:

I've done similar layouts a lot for electronic components in my product, where I needed mounting points for all the electronics on a plate (as one example).

The assembly route is the way to go, IMO.

First, have accurate models of each component. Whether you draw them from scratch, or import from a vendor. If drawing from scratch, often just a box is good enough, etc. You of course can decide how detailed they need to be for your project.

Next, make an assembly. Make an explicit mate connector on the origin as the first thing. Bring in all the parts. Mate each part to that MC, taking care that the implicit MC in your part matches the orientation of the explicit asm mc. Edit it if it does not. This will ensure X+ will move to the right, Z+ will move up, etc, every time you adjust position, and keep your mind sane:)

Orient the parts about how you want them using the offsets in each mate.

Then create a new part studio in-context, selecting the explicit asm mc as the origin.

Once in the context, you can reference the faces, edges, etc, of the parts you drew/imported, to make the cavities in your foam.

Thanks for the input.  I have started going down this path and it seems to get me where I need to go.  I appreciate it.