Best Practice for duplicating features

[benjaminfelber]

I have sketched a parametric Sliding dovetail that needs to be extruded along many different components and axes.

I've heard that keeping sketches simple and to a minimum is best practice, as well as avoiding copy/paste. 

So how does on translate features to other bodies/ components simply and cleanly?

The red lines indicate where the dovetail needs to be.. the sketch is named Dovetail and has already been joined onto several components.

Many Thanks

[jhackney1972]

I do not see but two sketches in this whole model and neither one is named what you say.  Please indicate in a screen capture where this sketch is.

[benjaminfelber]

I uploaded the wrong version, please refresh the page for the correct one.

[davebYYPCU]

From the picture, you mean, dovetail edges on the shelf short sides?,

would be difficult to assemble if also on the back edge. (Not impossible)

Which ever way you do it, lots of work.  I would normally make the male, and Combine Cut keep tools for the female.

I noticed in the other thread all butt joints, allows for no need of tolerance clearances.

Might help….

[davebYYPCU · Accepted solution]

Checked the file now.

Correct, extrude Male, and Mirror to the other end.

After the Joint, pattern (mirror) the short rail 

Combine Cut the Long Rail, with both short rails (keep tools)

Pattern (mirror) Long Rail.

Finish sheeting work, and then Pattern top to bottom.

Similar for shelves, male first, Mirror feature

Cut one end board then is a mirror for other end board.

Just a slight change of operations order.

Might help....

[benjaminfelber]

Thanks again Dave! It took some time and a bit of finesse to work as rational as possible but I'm happy with the result. This is my 'Exam' Project for my Master Joiner Certificate, so there's still a lot of details to be sketched Cheers.

[davebYYPCU]

So are you dovetailing back of the shelf?  Wondered about the double boards there.

[benjaminfelber]

Yes, I came up with the idea that the backboards slide in from the side and giving the furniture a lot more rigidity and at the same time keeping the shelves from be able to be pushed against the backboards, both which usually solved with screws.
The other parts are joined in the same principle and when put together keep each other from moving.

BTW, I tested the parametrics and I realised that the mirrored dovetails didn't adjust properly. So I went back, did the top shelf dovetail as a sweep on 3 sides as a new body> mirror > extrude cut to object > combine to shelf without keeping original. Worked great and is very clean. I'm very happy with my progress so far, and I can't thank you enough!