Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

Hi cwalker41,

  JD is correct, you can use 2D contacts in Dynamic Simulation (which is included in Inventor Professional, which you should have with your Educational license).

  However, you could also accomplish what (I think) your're after using assembly contact set and drive constraint.

  I created a couple of constraints, one that will keep the shaft hole centered in the slot.  The other mates the axis to a plane with will move the mobile part across the plate.  The second one is the one you drive.

  If you open the assembly, right-click on Mate:3 in the browser => Drive constraint => press the play button.

  Hope this helps...

Best regards, -Hugh

[Edit: added recording of driven constraint]

[#2]

I forgot to mention that before you drive the constraint or drag the mobile part, you'll need to activate the assembly contact solver (Inspect tab => Interference panel)