cut outs in a panel

ml

we develop electronic designs, printed circuit boards (pcb), which we have to integrate in a construction (standard housing)
so we export the pcb and connectors from the design program as step and import it in os
it will be placed in an assembly together with the housing and mated (dark green: pcb)



to close the housing it needs a front panel

now we measure out the connectors in relation to the front panel where they intersect


and transfer the dimensions into a sketch with the front panel to place the holes and cut outs to get the final front panel to let produce them.


is a bit boring. is there a more efficient, automatic way to do this? have no clue.
for example, if i could take the related parts out of the assembly - where they are aligned - into a part studio, there i could select parts of the connectors and extrude (remove) it through the front panel. i guess. but cannot copy it out from the assembly. mate it as multi part in part studio or total different way?

thanks in advance

owen_sparks

Hi ml.

I'm no expert but one of the mistakes I made when starting on OS was to jump ahead to an assembly tab too early in the work flow.  This removes the ability to use sketches on any sort bottom up design.  Working with assemblies in part studios is perfectly doable, the trick is to use the transform via mate connector to get any imported / derived  stuff where you want it.  In my opinion assembly tabs are good for seeing stuff move and to build complex assemblies from common parts, but for designing stuff we need Part Studios.

Hope that helps.  Owen S.  BTW before we exchange too many ideas do you work for my competition?

owen_sparks

I think what you want to do is import into a part studio, not an assembly. (ie "flatten" option.) You can then use a boolean subtract on on the plate, or at least a sketch with the "use" to pick op on the center-points of the components and then an extrude or similar.  (Depending on what's easier to give a bit of clearance.)

Regards,

Owen S.

ml

I took them both into an assembly, because the pcb as well as the front panel are referred (mated) to the housing. can't do this in a part studio, only set a mate, or?

owen_sparks

Hi ml.

I'm no expert but one of the mistakes I made when starting on OS was to jump ahead to an assembly tab too early in the work flow.  This removes the ability to use sketches on any sort bottom up design.  Working with assemblies in part studios is perfectly doable, the trick is to use the transform via mate connector to get any imported / derived  stuff where you want it.  In my opinion assembly tabs are good for seeing stuff move and to build complex assemblies from common parts, but for designing stuff we need Part Studios.

Hope that helps.  Owen S.  BTW before we exchange too many ideas do you work for my competition?

ml

hi owen

thanks, this helped me a lot!
I was able to do this in a part studio with import/derived and the transfor via mate. sketching it from there looks great. I still have a bit to train it.
we work in switzerland, so we are not a competitor.

best