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Constrain Profile to Path

Constrain Profile to Path

Constrain Profile to Path

(OP)
Inventor 2010 part file attached.  Sketch1 is a profile intended to sweep along the path of Sketch2.  Sketch2 is sized as the outermost edge of the sweep so I want to locate the profile corner at the bottom midpoint of the path.  I cannot get coincident point constraint to work nor can I project the geometry of the path to try other constraint types.  How do I constrain the profile to the bottom midpoint?

RE: Constrain Profile to Path

First thing.  Remember, this is a History based modeler.  So if you need to reference Sketch 2 in Sketch 1, it must exist before Sketch 1.  From what I inferred from your post this is what you wanted and from what I saw in the file you already had your rectangular profile constrained about the origin.

I simply reordered the sketches by dragging Sketch 2 before Sketch 1 in the browser.  I was able to do this because there was no reference of Sketch 1 in Sketch 2.  Had I projected anything from Sketch 1 then I would not be able to do this.

Overall though, great start as a new user constraining to the origin!

RE: Constrain Profile to Path

(OP)
Thank you for your response and compliments.  

I reordered the sketches as you advise but still struggling with constraining the profile like I want.  Can you recommend a strategy for constraining the endpoint in Sketch1 to the midpoint in Sketch2?  I have not been able to make coincident point work and I have not figured out yet another way to solve it.  Seems like I have yet to discover the intuition.

RE: Constrain Profile to Path

You have to use Project Geometry on the line.  It just so happens your top portion of the rectangle cuts through Sketch 1 right at its midpoint.

So, reorder the sketch, use project geometry on the line you want to constrain it to.  That will put a single dot on the plane for you to constrain to.

RE: Constrain Profile to Path

(OP)
OK.  That worked.  I'll need to practice more...  Thank you.  But, more questions.  

Now, as I sweep the profile, it leaves the corners cut out save a wall thickness - the new version is attached.  I've tried multiple ways to draw this and one was using extrusions to make the return flange with the cut-away operation.  I didn't like it because of this issue and resolved it as a bad approach.  Now I find again I don't recognize settings to prevent it.  

Thanks again.  Trying to make the paradigm shift before my trial ends.  Appreciate the attention.

RE: Constrain Profile to Path

Don't use the Lower Corner of the part on the sweep try a midpoint of the left edge of Sketch 1 instead of the lower left corner.  Sometimes you need to adjust the sweep depending on how it moves along your path.

RE: Constrain Profile to Path

(OP)
Once again, you called it.  Thanks.

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