topic Align components to a single axis? in Fusion Support Forum

Align components to a single axis?

Anonymous — Sun, 30 May 2021 22:29:30 GMT

Hello! I searched for a solution to the followeing task for a week now, but cant seem to find a solution, that fits my needs... This guy here had basicly the same question, but I find the solution rather unsatisfying (see below)

The task: i have a hollow box (e.g. stagecase, computercase), that has holes and a few fittings on one sidewall (lets say left). I would like to import a linked part (e.g. fitting) and position it on the opposite sidewall (right) in a way, that its center is exactly opposite of one of the holes on the other (left) side.

What i did so far: I imported the fitting (part A) and planar-constrained it to the right sidewall. Now i would like to move/align/constrain (whatever it takes) in a way, that the center meets a feature on a part on the opposite wall (usually the center of a drillhole, lets call that part B).

What works with the align tool: I can move part A on just one axis by selecting a surface-plane on it and then pick another (coplanar) surface ANYWHERE in the drawing and it will move perpendicular to the selected plane, until both planes meet.

What DOES not work: I would like to align the linked part A by selecting not a plane, but a point or an axis/edge and make them meet another point of part B on just one axis. In other words: tell fusion to move part A in a specific direction, until it meets the x value of another point/feature on part B, but ONLY the x value, not y and z.

What this forum and multiple other suggest: Create a sketch on the plane, where i want to move the part around on or to which it is planar-constrained, PROJECT the part/feature of part B and then snap my linked part A to this sketch point.

My question: Isnt there a more simple approach to align a point of part A based on just 1 or 2 axis of a feature of part B, like "install part A at the same z value as part B, but over there at x,y". The sketch and projection method feels like a workaround. I wish the align tool had an option like the inspect tool to split the vector up into x,y and z and then checkmark, what component of the vector to use. Im I just missing this feature or is this against the general philosophy of fusion?

Thanks for reading up to here 😃

Re: Align components to a single axis?

jhackney1972 — Sun, 30 May 2021 23:13:10 GMT

It would be helpful if you shared your model so the forum users can use it to possibly give you a more relevant answer, not to mentioned a quick response. If you do not know how to attach your Fusion 360 follow these easy steps. Open the model in Fusion 360, select the File menu, then Export and save to your hard drive. Then use the Attachments section of a forum post to attach it.

Re: Align components to a single axis?

davebYYPCU — Sun, 30 May 2021 23:17:27 GMT

Joint your part to the inside of the hole.

set z offset to be equal to outside face offset.

Might help....

Re: Align components to a single axis?

Anonymous — Mon, 31 May 2021 22:10:41 GMT

Hi, and thanks for the quick answer. I attached a quick mockup:

I planar-constrained the fitting to one side of the box. Now I would like to move/constrain/whatever it so it stays at its current position on the x and y axis, but assumes the z position of the center of the hole on the other wall.

My main question is: can I do that WITHOUT using a sketch and a projection, just with a simple command like align or constrain... I know that the planar constraint might not the go to way, but a sketch and a projection feels... clumsy?

Please note, that the cylinder is just a placeholder for a more complex, linked part, that i want to import and place into my design in a fast, intuitive way.

Re: Align components to a single axis?

jhackney1972 — Mon, 31 May 2021 22:39:51 GMT

I hope this process is what you desire. I placed the sketch, which is the same distance from the surface as the hole on the adjacent face, as a reference for you to see. It is not used in the process. Of course after the placement of the component using the Planar joint, the joint will have to be Locked to prevent its movement.

Re: Align components to a single axis?

jhackney1972 — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 01:12:29 GMT

So, what do you think? Does this solve your issue? If not, what is the problem? If it does, please mark your forum question Accept Solution.

Re: Align components to a single axis?

davebYYPCU — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 01:54:47 GMT

Same Axis?

John is not using any other axis, his position without any sketch as requested,

My suggestion was like this,

I didn't understand why a Planar Joint when the fixture is not mobile.

Might help....

Re: Align components to a single axis?

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 07:16:28 GMT

Thank you guys soooooo much!

Solution was exactly, what I was looking for! So easy, it just never crossed my mind to use the arrows...

@davebYYPCUThanks as well! The planar constraint was just so it could move the part around to see, where it roughly fits. The final joint will be a rigid of course.

Im amazed, that i got help so quickly!

Best Regards!

Betreff: Align components to a single axis?

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 23:56:56 GMT

Hi again!

I ran into another issue in the same context so i'll use this thread to post my question:

When selecting my component as @jhackney1972 described in the screecast above, i am unable so selct certain points to use as a snappoint.

1. Initially I select my component, which is planar constrained to a panel, so i dont accidentally detach it from the surface.
2. The I activate the Move-Tool by pressing "M" and click on the arrow of the very dimension I want the component to move in.
3. I try to select a point on another component to snap to. It wont work and is displaying "select ungrounded components to move". (The select part is NOT grounded anywhere).
4. After wiggling the component a few times, i CAN select certain points, but not any sketchpoints on certain surfaces of other components.

Screencast: https://autode.sk/2TCYQjo

I would just like to move the selected component, so that the center/pivot is aligned in one dimension with one of the the dotted lines from the sketch of the panel-component (which is linked from another drawing).
What do i do wrong? Why does it keep saying "Select ungrounded components to move" instead of "Snap to" (like it sometimes does)?

Best regards!

Matthias

Betreff: Align components to a single axis?

davebYYPCU — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 00:45:52 GMT

What am I doing wrong,

Failing to convey to us what you specifically want to do, which point of alignment?

Using the Move Tool for the purpose Joints were made for.

Your Video is so cluttered your destination is not clear, and you select 3 or 4 options - which one?

Move Tool has 5 options, you are using Free Move,

a more likely result will be Point to Point.

Point to point in Joint will fix it there,

move does not fix it there.

Might help....

Betreff: Align components to a single axis?

jhackney1972 — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 00:46:32 GMT

I do not use the Move command much anymore I use Align. Align is completely predictable and will put your component inline with any face, edge or point with easy. When I demonstrated before I was using a joint placement not move. As you say, I also find Move unpredictable. I set up a demo and did a Screencast on using Align which I hope will suit your needs.

Betreff: Align components to a single axis?

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 13:09:33 GMT

@davebYYPCUThe whole point of this thread is to move/align/constrain a component in only one axis. Im sorry I cant make this more clear to you. Point to Point is exactly 2 dimensions to many. I tried all the other options, only freemove gives the option to select a specific dimension. Did you understand i would like to align a specific point of a component to ONLY one coordinate of a specific point of another component?

The video is to demonstrate, that with some points a snap is displayed, with some other points not, and i would like to know why.

What @jhackney1972 demonstrated above with the move tool, is exactly what i want to do. And it works, just not every time, and i would like to know why.

Betreff: Align components to a single axis?

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 13:57:42 GMT

@jhackney1972 @Thanks much for the video. The align tool is my goto normally, exactly the way you demonstrated. Unfortunately, to align in one axis only you have to target a plane/face. If you target a point (a centerpoint for example) it picks up all three coordinates, and fusion fails to let you specify that you only need one or two of them to align to. If you have to align, lets say a center point in two dimensions, the move tool, as you showed above, seems to be the only one with that fuction (and the arrows in the joint tool of course). And it works, just not always...

But thanks so far, ill use the workaround with the projected geometry, whenever the move approach wont work.

Betreff: Align components to a single axis?

davebYYPCU — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 21:56:36 GMT

Correct, your intent is not clear.

if you did not find the disc behind a hole with a joint the solution, earlier, I will bow out.