Assembling Parts 1 and 2

In this Task

• The assembly of Parts 1 and 2 will be done in this drawing.
• Master components of Parts 1-6 are supplied in the Blocks palette.
• Part 2 will be assembled onto Part 1.

Associated Tasks

• Layer filters.
• Using different Render modes.
• Using Relative Coordinates.

Before you Start

• Use the drawing which was saved from the previous Sessions or make use of the sample drawing for this Session.
• View is set to Iso_SE, Workplane is displayed and is set to Plane by World.
• Center snap is required.
• Coordinate mode is set to Relative.
• Activate layer Model 2 Model as current.

Take Note

• This design is part of an assembly. Save the design after completion.
• After assembling certain components, sketch profiles will remain in position. These can be deleted from the editor.
• The 3D Selector Properties should be set to 3D Mode. This allows the Workplane to remain in the defined alignment until changed by the user. When this option is set to 2D/3D, the Workplane will align itself to the object selected. Right click in the editor and select Selector 3D (or 2D/3D) Properties.

 

Assembling Part 2 to Part 1

Isolate or Hide parts so that only the display of Parts 1 and 2 remain the editor, shown below.

The center point of the circle profile of Part 2 will be assembled onto the center point of the circle on Part 1 shown above. To do this, Part 2 will be rotated about both the X and Y axis by 90°

Use the Select tool to select both the sketch and model of Part 2. A selection rectangle can be dragged around the part to be selected.

With the Selector Shell attached to the part, TAB to the data fields and input 90 into the Rotation-X and Rotation-Y fields.

The result is shown below right.

Assemble by 3 Points

By rotating Part 2 into alignment, the circle profiles of the parts’ original profiles can be used as common center points by which to assemble Part 2 onto Part 1, shown below.

Center point of Part 2 will be assembled onto the center point of Part 1

Take Note

When using the Assemble by 3 Points tool, only single objects will be assembled. Multiple parts cannot be selected. In the illustrations below, the circles which will be used as references to assemble the parts have been highlighted for clarity.

Assemble by 3 Points

Ribbon : Modify | 3D Modifications | Assemble by 3 Points

Default Menu : Modify | Modify 3D Objects | 3D Assemble | Assemble by 3 Points

Palette : 3D Model | 3D Modify | Assemble by 3 Points

This assembly tool allows the assembly of objects by defining source and destination points.When using the Assemble by 3 Points feature, 2 or more source and destination points can be supplied.Objects which are relocated using the Assemble by 3 Points tool are moved from their source position and placed in their destination position.The Copy in Place option can be used prior to using Assemble by 3 Points if a copy of the relocated objects is required to remain in the source position.

Select the Assemble by 3 Points tool, then select Part 2. Define the circle center of Part 2, shown below as the source point. For accuracy, input C to precisely target the center of the circle.

Define the circle center of Part 2, shown below, as the destination point.

When the correct assembly guideline is displayed, shown below, right click and select Finish.

Assembly guideline showing the assembly source and destination points

The original profile of Part 2 can be deleted as it is not required further for this Task. If further modification to this part is required, it can be restored from the Blocks palette.

The result is shown below. Always check the model from different viewpoints to check the assembly. From the illustration below, it can be seen that the centers are correctly aligned.

Turn the view to the Front. Although this part is in the correct alignment, its position should be moved by 3, shown in the illustrations below.

Part should be moved by 3

By observing the alignment of the User-CS, the distance along the correct axis will become apparent. In this example, the User-CS indicates that Part 2 should be moved positively along the X axis.

Please note that the axis may be slightly different in your design due to the alignment of the Workplane.

User-CS indicates direction of the part to be moved. Part 2 will be moved by 3 along X axis

Activate Relative Coordinate mode,

Turn the view to Front, then select the Assemble by 3 Point tool. Select Part 2 and indicate a source point as being in the approximate region to the part, shown below.

Indicating the approximate position of the source point

At the prompt to select the destination point, use SHIFT TAB to access the coordinate fields and input 3 into the x coordinate field. Note : The User-CS icon must be observed. Always use the user-defined coordinate system to determine x-y-z values.

Destination point moved to 3 to the right of the source point

Select Finish to complete the assembly. The result is shown below.

Part 2 assembled onto Part 1

Check the assembled parts from different viewpoints to check the integrity of the assembly, shown below.

The sketch of Part 2 can be deleted. If required again, it can be reinserted from the Blocks palette.

Assembly shown from World Plan (above left) and Right (above right) view

Use the View > Examine > Orbit tool to check the assembly of the 2 parts. Use any standard or isometric view to return the model to a conventional viewpoint.

Mirror

Ribbon : Edit | Copy Entities | Mirror

Default Menu : Modify | Copy | Mirror

Palette : Copy | Mirror Copy

Note : Command is activated when the object is selected.

The mirror tool duplicates objects symmetrically about a mirror line. The original object can be retained or discarded.In the example below, the left object is being mirrored about the mirror line defined by points 1 and 2.

Turn the view to World Plan and set the Workplane to Plane by World. Reduce the zoom.

Select Part 2, then select the Mirror tool from the menu options above.. As the first point of the mirroring line, select the vertex of the edge of the base, shown as point ❶ below.

Selecting the first point of the mirroring line shown by the arrow. The center of the circle profile is used.

Hold down the SHIFT key and drag the cursor downwards, shown by the cursor and point ❷, above, then left click to complete the mirror of Part 2. The result is shown below from different viewpoints.

Assembly shown from Top (World Plan), Front and Right side view

Render Modes – Visualize

Local menu, right click in editor

It is frequently necessary to see the surface lines and edges of 3D objects when rendering. This is particularly useful when assembling multiple objects so that interference-checking can be done.

Rendered objects viewed from Dimetric South East

In the illustration above, the view is set to Dimetric South East to provide a slightly different perspective.

Right click in the editor, then right click on the Draft Rendering tool.

The Visual Style Realistic is selected and the Edge Model is set to Facet Edges.

Visualize render options

 

Save Drawing

This drawing is continued in the next Task.