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Mate connectors (again)
robert_scott_jr_
Member Posts: 506 ✭✭✭
When assigning a mate connector in a part studio, does it maintain it's position and association to the part when the part is inserted into an assembly?
In the document below, I can see a couple of mate connectors floating in empty space, seemingly not connector to any entity in the assembly. I started to think that perhaps mate connectors in a part studio are meant to be used there (e.g. in a boolean operation or positioning) and new mate connectors should be used in an assembly. If so, to avoid confusion among mate connectors, I thought it might be better to delete a mate connector in the part studio when it is no longer needed (i.e. after a boolean is successfully performed). I tried this but when I deleted mate connector 2 in part studio PIR(1), the part 'case' was also deleted. Is this a result of my methods (feature tree) to attain an end result or my misunderstanding of mate connectors in general?
In this document it seems to me it would be ideal for the mate connectors created in the part studio to maintain there placement relative and association to the owner part in the part studio and use the same mate connectors in the assembly. As a new student and hobbyist in Onshape I may not be realizing that in some cases it may not be ideal.
I would appreciate any instruction.
Also, when I look at the number of steps in the above mentioned part studio, they seem too numerous. Is that more or less normal or the sign of a new user?
Thanks - Scotty
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/4a7c3d5925f8aa9147b2eceb/w/004c5fbf4a428ee92d10eaa3/e/8c798a982ac639c83fcfb28d
In the document below, I can see a couple of mate connectors floating in empty space, seemingly not connector to any entity in the assembly. I started to think that perhaps mate connectors in a part studio are meant to be used there (e.g. in a boolean operation or positioning) and new mate connectors should be used in an assembly. If so, to avoid confusion among mate connectors, I thought it might be better to delete a mate connector in the part studio when it is no longer needed (i.e. after a boolean is successfully performed). I tried this but when I deleted mate connector 2 in part studio PIR(1), the part 'case' was also deleted. Is this a result of my methods (feature tree) to attain an end result or my misunderstanding of mate connectors in general?
In this document it seems to me it would be ideal for the mate connectors created in the part studio to maintain there placement relative and association to the owner part in the part studio and use the same mate connectors in the assembly. As a new student and hobbyist in Onshape I may not be realizing that in some cases it may not be ideal.
I would appreciate any instruction.
Also, when I look at the number of steps in the above mentioned part studio, they seem too numerous. Is that more or less normal or the sign of a new user?
Thanks - Scotty
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/4a7c3d5925f8aa9147b2eceb/w/004c5fbf4a428ee92d10eaa3/e/8c798a982ac639c83fcfb28d
0
Best Answers
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philip_thomas Member, Moderator, Onshape Employees, Developers Posts: 1,381@robert_scott_jr_ - All reasonable questions!
The ability to add mate connectors in a Part Studio is an invaluable tool!
It lets users define (multiple) mating locations for standard parts.
It allow you to perform a 'transform by mate connector' in a Part Studio to position a purchased part (NOT intended to build assemblies in a Part Studio).
It enables the ability to define the position of mate connector relative to a second part but owned by the first (advanced modeling technique).
The key in all these scenarios is that a mate connector is owned by a part.
When a part is inserted into an assembly, the mate connector comes with it.
When performing a 'transform by mate connector', if you want the mate connector to move with the part, simply include it in the transform (you should always do this). That single action would clean up the document you posted.
Yes the Part Studio is built in a most convoluted manner!
If a feature fails - fix it!
If you think of a better way of building something, roll back in time and do it over.
The first Part Studio should have been around 5 features.
I hope this helps.
Philip Thomas - Onshape6 -
bruce_williams Member, Developers Posts: 842 EDU@robert_scott_jr_
In addition to @philip_thomas nice explanation - Have you gone through the Learning Center? Excellent material there.
I suggest going a little slower and get the principles down before creating a studio as 'convoluted'. Philip is correct, could be much simpler and robust.
A few specifics on your Part Studio
1) make sure to constrain the sketches. They should be all black; blue is unconstrained
2) Your imported geometry makes a great starting point for dimensioning, Use command, or other constraints.
3) no need to remake geometry. Reuse sketches or the imported shapes.
4) As Philip said - if it is red repair it. Read the pop up notices and make sure the driving geometry is still there.
5) Your sketch 5 is a good example of fully constrained.
Keep going! You have a good start and will find OS is powerful and versatile.www.accuratepattern.com5 -
robert_scott_jr_ Member Posts: 506 ✭✭✭Thank you, Gentlemen, for the explanations and instruction on how to avoid the problem. Thank you also for the advice. Good advice that I will use to guide me in future documents as well as this document posted (which I believe I will begin anew). - Scotty
2
Answers
The ability to add mate connectors in a Part Studio is an invaluable tool!
It lets users define (multiple) mating locations for standard parts.
It allow you to perform a 'transform by mate connector' in a Part Studio to position a purchased part (NOT intended to build assemblies in a Part Studio).
It enables the ability to define the position of mate connector relative to a second part but owned by the first (advanced modeling technique).
The key in all these scenarios is that a mate connector is owned by a part.
When a part is inserted into an assembly, the mate connector comes with it.
When performing a 'transform by mate connector', if you want the mate connector to move with the part, simply include it in the transform (you should always do this). That single action would clean up the document you posted.
Yes the Part Studio is built in a most convoluted manner!
If a feature fails - fix it!
If you think of a better way of building something, roll back in time and do it over.
The first Part Studio should have been around 5 features.
I hope this helps.
In addition to @philip_thomas nice explanation - Have you gone through the Learning Center? Excellent material there.
I suggest going a little slower and get the principles down before creating a studio as 'convoluted'. Philip is correct, could be much simpler and robust.
A few specifics on your Part Studio
1) make sure to constrain the sketches. They should be all black; blue is unconstrained
2) Your imported geometry makes a great starting point for dimensioning, Use command, or other constraints.
3) no need to remake geometry. Reuse sketches or the imported shapes.
4) As Philip said - if it is red repair it. Read the pop up notices and make sure the driving geometry is still there.
5) Your sketch 5 is a good example of fully constrained.
Keep going! You have a good start and will find OS is powerful and versatile.