Easier way to produce a hole and a pin in connect 2 objects

[rickjohnston]

Hi All.

So I am having to cut up a model for 3D printing and have a question if there is an easier way of doing the following to make the pin and hole align perfectly.

1. Create hole on 1 piece; chamfer edge to make inserting pin easier

2. Create circle sketch on connecting piece; extrude; chamfer top edge

My issue is on the faces there is no way I have found to make sure they are aligned perfectly snap to center of circular face. I am simply eye-balling the hole feature and then the circle sketch on the connecting face. See attached screen captures.

Here is screenshot of what I have...this needs to be done many times as the model is larger than my UM 3 print bed so I need to break the model up and the assemble.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

Rick...

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

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@rickjohnston wrote:

Hi All.

So I am having to cut up a model for 3D printing and have a question if there is an easier way of doing the following to make the pin and hole align perfectly.

My issue is on the faces there is no way I have found to make sure they are aligned perfectly snap to center of circular face. I am simply eye-balling the hole feature and then the circle sketch on the connecting face. 

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You should not have to eyeball the connections, you simply Project Geometry the position from one body to another.

Be sure to allow a bit of clearance between the mating features as 3D printing is not very precise.

(BTW - since you asked for suggestions on "easier way" - Autodesk Inventor Professional does this for you automatically.  🤔)

[rickjohnston]

Thanks @TheCADWhisperer !

I've never considered the 'project' command...I'll need to check this out and figure out how this works.

Yes I always make the hole 0.2mm - 0.25mm larger than whatever the pin shape looks like (e.g. dovetail, slot...) really depends on the material I am using to print.

Thanks again!

Rick...

[etfrench]

I usually just use one sketch to do this.  Draw concentric circles, one for the pin and one for the hole.  Extrude cut the hole and Extrude join the pin.