Moving inserted solid bodies

[shifter]

Does anyone know of a convenient way to move/position an inserted solid part within a part. I need to Boolean (subtract) a part from another and need to position one of the parts to an exact location. In IronCAD, I would simply use the TriBall to move either of the parts.

Thanks!

 

[CADGemini]

Look at using Move/Copy Bodies which can be found in Tools-Customize-Commands then select "Features" from the list. it should be the last icon in that list.

I think this is new to 2004 and up.

Best Regards,
Jon

Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Solidworks 2006 SP0.0

 

[shifter]

Thanks. I'm guessing that the trick to positioning the body precisely is to work with the XYZ indicator (placing it at some reference point or geometry in/on the part? Another question I have is whether you can subtract one body from another while in an assembly. It seems that positioning parts is easier within an assembly.

 

[CADGemini]

Nope. The subtract body is only available in the part level. Maybe this will be functionality to be seen in the next major release. Submit an Enhancement request on the solidworks website. The more votes the better.

Best Regards,
Jon

Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Solidworks 2006 SP0.0

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

You may be able to use the Join function in an assy to create what you need.

Also, you can use one part in an assy to create geometry which is then used (within the part being edited) to remove material.

SW06 has included the mate function into multi-body parts, so that bodies can more easily be precisely placed.


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[shifter]

Thanks, guys. That's good to know. I guess I can always do this in IC and then import the resulting booleaned part, but I wouldn't learn anything that way!

Dave

 

[J-C]

Shifter, what exactly are you trying to do? Mold Cavity?

Jason

 

[shifter]

I'm making a shipping box foam insert that has the cutout shape of an oddly-shaped electronics housing. I did get it (move body)to work, but I had to move, measure, move, measure, etc. Normally, I'd snap the TriBall to a feature in either the housing (before it was booleaned) or the negative shape (after boolean), snap the TriBall and shape to a reference feature in the foam (like a corner or midpoint), enter a distance to move the cutout or component, and perhaps rotate the cutout to an exact angle. The nice thing about the TriBall is that it can move/copy/mirror/pattern even negative shapes.

 

[J-C]

2006 added mating type contraints to the Move/Copy feature which may help. Also there is the cavity feature which is done from the assembly mode.

Jason

 

[shifter]

I will check out the cavity feature - thanks!