How to use parts as references for a new part?

w_s856

This is more of a "how to" question than a plea to solve a specific problem. The context is https://cad.onshape.com/documents/efbbafb6b05d800790768197/w/c4dfe0ff6af112e209c97839/e/ef4e701aef64290f85b45bfe?renderMode=0&uiState=6888f1d78a82666976ad5ea9

I drew two existing (in the physical world) parts: an intercom (which is fixed on my wall) and a servo motor (which is not completely drawn yet and that I plan to buy).

I would like to use them as references to draw (and then print) an enclosure for the intercom. To do that, I would like to

• place the servo motor flat on the intercom
• and then use them as references to draw an enclusure around them (which means that on the sketches of the enclosure I need to be able to reference edges etc. for either of them)

My general question i s: how to approach such a project?

• should I built the intercom + servo in Assembly and tehn somehow use this assembled piece in a new Part Studio (for the enclusure)?
• or Derive the parts in a new Part Studio and somehow use mates to put them where I want (this si what I initially intended to do)
• or something else?

I am mostly looking for high level guidance on the approach itself, not necessarily a ready solution as I want to learn too :)

Daniel_Kane

There are multiple ways to achieve this, but based on what you describe, it is easiest to position and mate the intercom + servo in an Assembly, then create a new Part Studio in the context of that assembly.

eric_pesty

Either options work… you can set a

"destination" location when driving by editing mate connectors. You can also derive on the origin and use transform by mate connectors to locate things (behaves pretty much lik an assembly mate)

w_s856

https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/comment/119405#Comment_119405

Thanks - this is what I am going to try