I have sketched two center rectangles on two different parts that need to be aligned. They are not on the same surface nor will they be when assembled. There centers and edges will be aligned as both rectangles are the same size.
How do I align these rectangles without creating an axis in the center of each?
They both have center points but not axis.
I'm finding it challenging to assemble them.
Any ideas?
Glenn,
The sketches represent the active area of a touch screen or viewing area of an lcd. To design them with these areas in the center of the part would be difficult. The sketches are put on last and creating an axis would be easier than modeling the part in the center of the planes but thanks for the suggestion
I'm looking for an easy way to use sketched entities as assembly constraints.
You could also create planes in one of the parts that are coincident with the outside edges of the rectangles and perpendicular to the face, then mate the edges or sketch lines of the other part to these planes.
Amber, I've done exactly this. I model the LCDs and touchscreens so the centres of the active areas are on the origin. After modelling them in different ways, this works the best. I'm yet to find a spec sheet for a screen or touchscreen that does not reference the centre.
Bjorn, we dont always have the location of the active areas before we need a model sometimes.
It's a good idea though. Right now I'm just creating axis in the active area center.
Amber, if you create a centred rectangle for the active area with a rectangle for the overall unit dimensioned off the active area. You can then adjust the dimensions when you get them, while in the meantime creating assemblies that will remain properly mated when you make changes. However, I don't see the use of modelling a screen/touchscreen without the correct data as the placement is not going to be right, nore the details for the connections.
Amber,
Some options:
You can add the axis in the Assembly if it makes things simpler for you (i.e. don't have to edit the parts).
You can add the axis to the parts AND create a mate reference so things snap into place when you add them to the assembly.
A few limitations (at least as of SW2011 SP3):
I did not add a tertiary reference because I don't know your design requirements. But you could easily add the third to match up the mating surfaces.
Daen
"I'm looking for an easy way to use sketched entities as assembly constraints."
My experiments suggest that we can mate:-
Solid feature to solid feature
Solid feature to sketch element
Ref geo axis to solid feature
Ref geo axis to ref geo axis
If all else fails, cut a hole at an appropriate location to create a solid feature for mating.
create an axis in the assembly and mate them to it.
Amber,
You should be able to align them using their planes. If I had created them I would have had the front and right planes passing through the center of the rectangles. Then I would make these planes coincident in the assembly.
Edit: I just looked back and saw that you were asking about using sketched entities as constraints. If you specifically want to do that, there are several ways. You can use sketched lines in mates, or edit sketched lines in the context of your assembly, establishing relations with edges or sketches in the assembly or another part.