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Using reference parts to design new parts

Using reference parts to design new parts

Using reference parts to design new parts

(OP)
Hello Eng-Tips,

Long time reader, first time poster here.

In CATIA I'm trying to solve the following problem:

1) I am modelling some suspension arms with bearings and have 3 co-ordinates in XYZ which define the pickup points.
2) I have a product which contains:
1 part containing XYZ coordinates of the 3 pickup points in space
3 bearing housings mated to the 3 XYZ pickup points
2 suspension arms (cross section may or may not be tubular) joining the 3 pickup points to form a V shape
3) If I move XYZ coordinates, I would like the product to be parameteric and adapt to it.


The problem:
1) For the suspension arms, I can create a line point using 2 XYZ coordinates as external references, this then updates the line length and position should I change any of the XYZ coordinates.
2) This doesn't work for the tube extrusion though. The length is correct but it always ends up out of axis. Cross-section plane is generated through "normal through curve" feature. Sketch is then made using a project 3D point as reference. When the co-ordinates are updated, the tube section moves out of plane.

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

Would anyone be able to help? This would also help drastically for things like roll cage design where moving points around is important. Currently building rollcages using ribs as that is what the convention is here at the moment, though I recognise the advantage of a wireframe approach.

Thanks
Kevin


RE: Using reference parts to design new parts

copy and paste as special with link the 2 (or 3) points from part 1 into tube part

build your geometry based o those copied points and not your point.n and point.m like in the pictures.

your tube part does have linked geometry with 2 surfaces only... this is not the best way to drive point position.

Eric N.
indocti discant et ament meminisse periti

RE: Using reference parts to design new parts

(OP)
Thank you very much itsmyjob.

This has worked a treat.

Best Regards
Kevin

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