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How can I use this part to cut another part?
wouter_visser
Member Posts: 14 ✭
in General
I'm trying to design a corner cube retroreflector (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroreflector), like the reflectors that are on bicycles.
I started with modeling a 'cutting tool' for the reflector, and then a simple plastic sheet, with the plan being I could do a boolean subtract so the cutting tool would leave corner cubes in the plastic.
The problem I came across is that these two parts are not in the right place in the parts studio, I can't move the reflector in the part studio, and I can't do a boolean subtract in an assembly. So I will have to make either the cutting tool or the plastic sheet first, and then the other in exactly the right place. Which is hard because the geometry has some complicated angles, I'm not good enough with math to do that.
What would be the best way to do this?
The design is here: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/1b9e6a0c4c41b2d088571bf8/w/1ec1c886f690601d675a7395/e/69b66d012f981b49cf5fbb26
I started with modeling a 'cutting tool' for the reflector, and then a simple plastic sheet, with the plan being I could do a boolean subtract so the cutting tool would leave corner cubes in the plastic.
The problem I came across is that these two parts are not in the right place in the parts studio, I can't move the reflector in the part studio, and I can't do a boolean subtract in an assembly. So I will have to make either the cutting tool or the plastic sheet first, and then the other in exactly the right place. Which is hard because the geometry has some complicated angles, I'm not good enough with math to do that.
What would be the best way to do this?
The design is here: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/1b9e6a0c4c41b2d088571bf8/w/1ec1c886f690601d675a7395/e/69b66d012f981b49cf5fbb26
0
Comments
Transform - by Mate Connector will be your friend here. I would move the cutting cube tool by that and then do Boolean subtract. See here https://cad.onshape.com/help/Content/transform.htm?cshid=transform