Aligning a number of parts - how??
Aligning a number of parts - how??
(OP)
Maybe I should know this - but I don't:
Ok, if I have two parts in an assembly I can select a surface on each to line them up by using 'coincident' i.e. aligning the ends of two shafts.
What if there are more shafts, say 3 or ten even? From what I can see, you can only select two parts at a time to use the coincident mate. That means that at the moment I go through the numerous items, selecting them in pairs until the faces on each are all on a common plane. Tedious!
Somebody please tell me there is an easier way!
Ok, if I have two parts in an assembly I can select a surface on each to line them up by using 'coincident' i.e. aligning the ends of two shafts.
What if there are more shafts, say 3 or ten even? From what I can see, you can only select two parts at a time to use the coincident mate. That means that at the moment I go through the numerous items, selecting them in pairs until the faces on each are all on a common plane. Tedious!
Somebody please tell me there is an easier way!






RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
I am curious what CBL suggests. Because I know it is not as simple as selecting many faces and then applying a coincident mate. That works for sketch relations... but not mates.
-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
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Mate References;
http://hel
Smart Components;
http://he
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
All I want to do is select a face on more than two parts and get them to align to a common plane. I can't be the only one who needs that?
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
Is what I would use for your application.
That way you only have to select the "new" face to make it coincident.
http://h
Devon Murray, EIT [Mechanical]
Solidworks 2011 SP 2.0
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
Actually that's exactly what you can do ... sometimes. Just select the faces before activating the Mate tool
See also Mate Property manager > Multiple Mate Mode;
http://he
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
Selecting the faces BEFORE selecting the mate tool! I just knew it had to be easier than what I had been doing.
Thanks again.
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
Excellent... when was that functionality added. I know it was not there in 2006 ish.
-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
After playing around a bit more, I've found you don't need to pre-select the faces. but when I first tried, the Multi-mate icon wasn't available till I had pre-selected. Strange!
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
I just love forums!
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
Just tried it again and can't now get it to work!!! Can't find that Multiple mates icon either. I'm confused. It worked perfectly last night.
I have even tried SWX 2010 and 2011 but both the same.
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
So, when opening the Mate Manager you don't see this?
What do you see if you pre-select some faces?
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog
RE: Aligning a number of parts - how??
Thanks again