Constraining to curved surfaces (sheetmetal)

[JonnyC]

Good afternoon,
More of our customers are requesting metal enclosures that feature curved faces and surfaces. We have been unable to find a good method for constraining hardware (PEM studs, etc.) to these surfaces. The same problem exists when a feature is extruded from, or created by revolving about a work axis through a hole, then folding the part as shown in the attachment. When the part is folded, the added features remain on the original sketch plain (leaving the part).
Have you experienced this, and maybe have a work-around that isn't too cumbersome? Rich Thomas at Telect found a method (see method1) for placing a PEM into a radiused piece but it is very time consuming and not practical for fast turn prototyping. Thank you for your time! -Tom & Jon

(Method1.zip is a .iam showing the only way that we can constrain a fastener into the sheetmetal.) (Method2.zip has a fold that is suppressed. When you unsuppress the fold you loose the insert constraint.)

[Anonymous]

Well you could: Make a bisector workplane on the slot. Start a new sketch on it. Project an edge from each slot. Make a short perpendicular (or non parallel) construction line from each slot. Apply a coincident midpoint constraint (end point construction lines/mid point projected lines). Finish sketch. Constrain pems with Axis and Tangent to surface constraints. ~Larry "JonnyC" wrote in message news:27144090.1073431785609.JavaMail.jive@jiveforum1... > Good afternoon, > More of our customers are requesting metal enclosures that feature curved faces and surfaces. We have been unable to find a good method for constraining hardware (PEM studs, etc.) to these surfaces. The same problem exists when a feature is extruded from, or created by revolving about a work axis through a hole, then folding the part as shown in the attachment. When the part is folded, the added features remain on the original sketch plain (leaving the part). > Have you experienced this, and maybe have a work-around that isn't too cumbersome? Rich Thomas at Telect found a method (see method1) for placing a PEM into a radiused piece but it is very time consuming and not practical for fast turn prototyping. Thank you for your time! -Tom & Jon > > (Method1.zip is a .iam showing the only way that we can constrain a fastener into the sheetmetal.) (Method2.zip has a fold that is suppressed. When you unsuppress the fold you loose the insert constraint.)

[JonnyC]

Thanks Larry

I wish there was a easier way. Inventor is great for sheet metal design but I wish there was a way to insert hardware in the flat and hold the constraint after folding.

Thanks again,
Jon