Placing parts flat on a plane

kristoffer_falk

I have made the 5 parts on the picture.

Is there a way to arrange these flat on the plane without using the transform function and endless try-and-error because it is not completely on the plane?

I need to make a frame around them for CNC production.

bruce_williams

To do manually - insert all parts into an assembly and use mates with offsets or 'by eye' to position.

OR see the discussion on Auto Layout feature script here

Jake_Rosenfeld

@kristoffer_falk

You can try using the "Auto Layout" custom feature:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/576e01dbe4b0cc2e7f46a55d/v/6fdd62b5e2ff182db77e0c33/e/b72c231628b5affea0873222

Just go to that document, click the '+ Custom features' button at the top, then click the feature to add it to your toolbar.  Then use the feature as described in your own Part studio.

Another option would be to make your own layout sketch, attach mate connectors to the sketch, attach a mate connector to each of your parts, and then use 'transform by mate connectors' option of the transform feature.  This will eliminate the trial and error of getting your parts into the plane by letting you place them exactly where you want them.
https://cad.onshape.com/help/Content/transform.htm

Jake_Rosenfeld

Hi @kristoffer_falk

You have to use a 'Mate connector' feature if you want to create a mate connector in your part studio.  You can do this before the transform to set up mate connectors on the part and on the plane (You will probably need to make a layout sketch on the plane first to have something to place the mate connector onto).
https://cad.onshape.com/help/Content/mateconnector.htm

Here is a simple example:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/48c14b3a9e1c8f1abcd78d9e/w/9835aa766fe1d1148e3523a1/e/ebe994b6fcbc2b8971944a96

bruce_williams

To do manually - insert all parts into an assembly and use mates with offsets or 'by eye' to position.

OR see the discussion on Auto Layout feature script here

Jake_Rosenfeld

@kristoffer_falk

You can try using the "Auto Layout" custom feature:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/576e01dbe4b0cc2e7f46a55d/v/6fdd62b5e2ff182db77e0c33/e/b72c231628b5affea0873222

Just go to that document, click the '+ Custom features' button at the top, then click the feature to add it to your toolbar.  Then use the feature as described in your own Part studio.

Another option would be to make your own layout sketch, attach mate connectors to the sketch, attach a mate connector to each of your parts, and then use 'transform by mate connectors' option of the transform feature.  This will eliminate the trial and error of getting your parts into the plane by letting you place them exactly where you want them.
https://cad.onshape.com/help/Content/transform.htm

kristoffer_falk

Thanks for the answers. I will try both ways.

@Jake_Rosenfeld
I try the "transform by mate connectors" option, but I am having trouble selecting the "from mate connector" and "to mate connector". Nothing highlights as a mate connector when I hover the mouse over the part. Am I doing something wrong? 
I have watched a webinar about Mate Connectors, but it features an assembly, and I would like to stay in Parts Studio, since I need to do more work on the parts when they are flat on the plane.

Jake_Rosenfeld

Hi @kristoffer_falk

You have to use a 'Mate connector' feature if you want to create a mate connector in your part studio.  You can do this before the transform to set up mate connectors on the part and on the plane (You will probably need to make a layout sketch on the plane first to have something to place the mate connector onto).
https://cad.onshape.com/help/Content/mateconnector.htm

Here is a simple example:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/48c14b3a9e1c8f1abcd78d9e/w/9835aa766fe1d1148e3523a1/e/ebe994b6fcbc2b8971944a96

kristoffer_falk

Hey - got it now. I needed to add the mate connectors separately! :-)