Rotate a part in assembly
Rotate a part in assembly
(OP)
How do I rotate any part in an assembly with any of the temporary axis (center of any curve or feature or a consutruction line)and an angle ? I think the three features in the rotate command do not give me what I want to do (I may be missing to look something, but can't figure out myself so far). The rotation triad kind of gives what I want, but, does not gurantee the center of rotation (the axis). I don't know how to align the center of the rotation triad to the axis. Let me know the way. Thanks.






RE: Rotate a part in assembly
To answer your question, if you mean the Free Drag, About Entity and By Delta XYZ options;
Select the Rotate Component icon.
Select the About Entity option and a Select item: field should appear.
In the graphics area, select any edge, vertex or axis around which you want to rotate the part.
Grab the part and rotate.
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
www.scottjbaugh.com
"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"
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RE: Rotate a part in assembly
Jason
SolidWorks 2007 SP3.1 on WinXP SP2
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
Thanks for the replies. Gildashard, actually I have used the "Triad" feature in the past to rotate whatever parts I want, but the problem I see with that is I cannot (problably, I just don't know) excactly orient the center of the triad to where I want to (for instance match the triad center and a center line of a curve). I think, it kind of orients the center, but not exactly, you have to approximately orient it. And, if I want to rotate backwards, I need to pull the triad back (it goes to the centroid of the part every time you leave it) and orient it again, which is not the same place as before. I looked at the help and it doesn't look that the triad can be oriented in a certain place of our choice, everytime. If it (Triad) can be oriented, that is what I want to have. Let me know. Corb, Scott: I prefer not to use angle mates unless I have no other go. Thanks again.
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
I'm sure you have valid reasons, but I'm curious as to why you would not want to use mates.
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
www.scottjbaugh.com
"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
I was about to ask the same question...
but a little more sarcastically.
Windows XP / Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 5000 / SolidWorks 2007 SP2.2 / SpaceBall 5000
www.Tate3d.com "Right-click. It's friggin' magic!"... Jack L. Tate
FAQ376 I'm famous.
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
In some situations, in an assembly (fully constrained or partially), I need to rotate one or more of the parts with respect to any of the available axis and angle (depending on the case)to see the relative positions of configurations. I don't want to add mate(s) which will add constraints when I want to rotate another part ( I will try scott's suggestion, mates with positioning only. hope it doesn't restrict the part's movement because of the mate). It is like rotating any part(s) relative to others, about any axis and any angle, without having to think about mate situations or adding constraints with a mate. These are done during the study phase of various configurations. Hope my answer makes sense. Also, in some cases i will be rotating couple of parts with respect to one axis and an angle. I guess, in that case I will have to mate each and every one of the part that I am rotating. If I have not made the situation clear, pl. tell me.
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
Yours is a valid approach then.
But MATES are easy to create & delete... especially if you investigate SMARTMATE in the help menu.
Windows XP / Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 5000 / SolidWorks 2007 SP2.2 / SpaceBall 5000
www.Tate3d.com "Right-click. It's friggin' magic!"... Jack L. Tate
FAQ376 I'm famous.
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
BTW, you still haven't answered whether, after you have the part rotated and aligned, you will be constraining it or just leaving it floating in space?
Layout sketches can also be great aids for attaining correct positioning before the solids are even formed.
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
Again thanks for all the replies. Mate for positioning only meets my requirement at this time. I am doing kind of layout sketches, but after forming 3D, but, what I will be looking is all interference, clearance and other conditions for the 3-d part(s) in the assembly. So, 2-D won't always help in my case. O.k. if i use mate, can I rotate more than one part at a time ? I guess I will have to add individual mates for each part. right ? Also, i have not fully understood how do I use mates on parts which are not of regular shape and especially are imported as step files? thanks.
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
Depending on how you set up the mates, you will be able to move a whole bunch of parts by changing just one mate.
One way to move a group of parts in unison would be to create a sub-assy of the parts, and have mates control the sub-assy's position and orientation.
RE: Rotate a part in assembly
Eric
RE: Rotate a part in assembly