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Best way to attach this part?
kathryn_szkotnicki
Member Posts: 9 ✭
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/a4cc6b71f01a9f341fa4d664/w/d933a1c2de7ba3335db1f82a/e/a7aff90a970e09781bb70686?renderMode=0&uiState=66fe9820cab87b57434eaf80
I'm having trouble figuring this out - the curved panel needs too attach to one of the ribs, where the mate connector is, but I can't figure out how! I'm sure there is a way, but it won't let me attach a mate connector with the curved panel, When I try to use the edges it does all kinds of interesting things with the angles. I was hoping to mate the top or the bottom with the circular bits but that's not working either! What am I missing?
Comments
You could add an explicit mate connector to the curved panel.
I tried that, but it won't let me for some reason. I wanted to do that all along, is there a trick to putting a connector on a curve or do you just have to know where the right pixel is? How did you draw that line in the middle of the curve that the mate connector is attached to?
I used an Intersection Curve. Then added the Mate Connector at the midpoint of the curve.
I'd put the mc completely not touching the part. It would instead be on the centerline of the entire assembly. Put a mc there in the part studio that made this part using a sketch to place a point at the center, then the mc on that point.
Put the same mc in the assembly. Not you can easily assemble this, pattern it, etc.
You're also doing a ton of extra work. You don't need any of the mc's or fastened mates you added in the assembly. All you have to do is group all the parts, since you modelled them in place in the part studio, or, bring them in as a rigid assembly. Highly recommend doing the assembly training courses.
Okay that makes sense but what 2 faces did you use? There are 2 sketches, a loft, and 2 sweeps used to make the part. Thanks so much!
What faces did you use to make the curve? I'm yrying to click around and I can't get it to curve down the middle like that?
I did the training, but I was having a hard time with getting things to orient the way I wanted to so I kinda went for the sledgehammer solution! I wasn't sure if "Group" was the same as "Mate," especially since I have to re-work the outer wall piece that I'm fighting with. The original was done in Tinkercad. The angles are off and there is too much material on the inside of the top.
Try this for the assembly. It's a new option called "rigid" that came out a few months ago. .It will make your life a lot easier. Example:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/a915f193340032c28b082269/v/f488861c64564970fc5b466e/e/fe3f5c6a3d851e9015dc7630
For the curved part you are trying to assemble now, I'd probably redraw it in the same part studio as the other parts, especially since you said it needs to be changed. It will then also be part of the ridid studio insertion, and you won't have to worry about mating it.
Finally, are you intending to 3d print this all as one piece? If so, it should not be an assembly. It should all be one part.
Yes It's to be printed as all one piece. It's a pen holder for a vintage plotter. The re-drawn one is the changed one; if you look at the mesh import you can kind of see where it's all messed up at the top when it's supposed to be a clean, smooth inner top face with a smooth transition to the panel instead of the weird steppy bits that are there now. I exported what I had to run a test print and it all exported, so I figured I was fine :D
I will play with Rigid! And yes I can actually remake the sketch for the panel in the studio, it's a pretty simple piece. I began with trying to model from scratch before I learned you can import .stl files and the original is comically too big, but I have a lot of the parts modeled properly. I'm combining the two.
Will report back later with results!
Just to reiterate what others have said, you're working too hard 😉
I followed your workflow and I like how you made 3-point planes and used imported geometry for your sketches. But from there, you could have made everything one piece. That way, you don't have to worry about the assembly.
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/9eb06d3e12d35f1774e680a8/w/a038e21661d1a7c78010fa44/e/0ce0836fa44d5af554c0c00f
I can go back in and try and sketch the outside bits and the inside bits and their own pieces. The imported STL has a couple of parts that are a little off, so I wanted to be able to tinker with all the parts until I got it right. I can go back in and play this weekend. I'm still thinking about this from my costuming background where you have to break a garment into discrete pieces :D
You're better off starting over from scratch. Make it all as one piece. Model it centered on the default planes, not shifted like it is now. Use the command "revolve" to make the main shape. Then the command "shell" to hollow out the inside. Then add the boss in the middle. Then draw one rib, and use circular pattern to get it in the other 3 places.
Are the windows in the side necessary for the function of the part? If not, you can eliminate them and then the part would print without support.