Complex Joint

[harrybennett]

I've run into a problem creating a joint between a horizontal square bar and 2 clamps. I want the square bar to align with the clamps in the middle because I have user parameters that change the rest of my assembly and so it needs to scale correctly. If i create joints from the edge of the bar and clamp and then offset to the central position i don't think it will scale correctly.

I think maybe there's a way to do this by creating construction planes between the clamps and use that to make the joint but i'm struggling to actually do it and think I need pointing in the right direction.

many thanks to @Drewpan who helped explain a route away from my previously messy assembly

[davebYYPCU]

Presuming the 2 clamps are separate components, 

Joint the bar to a clamp face, and offset them the correct respective distance in the Joint Offset part of the Dialogue.

Might help…

[Drewpan · Accepted solution]

Hi,

The easiest way to do this is create a joint between two faces which will make the joint exactly half way between the

two faces you select, then use the mid-point of the bar instead of the ends.

You may need to hold down the CTRL key to select the centre of the pipe.

 Should scale no problems.

Cheers

Andrew

[jhackney1972]

I believe you will be better off using a Joint Origin on the square tube to reference its midpoint.   This allows you to get the right orientation of the joint origin you will need.  You can use this in the same fashion with the Between Two Faces as @Drewpan suggest.  I also created a Joint between the uprights so they stay together when you move the bar up and down.

I have returned your model as an F3Z file, be cautious where you upload it as it will duplicate your components if you upload it to the same folder.  I suggest you upload it to a new folder until you decide you want to keep it.

[jhackney1972]

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