erasing lines after jointing bodies

[Pearsonh001]

Hi guys, 

  Im laser cutting some parts which where working fine until I tried to add locking tabs to my parts. I sketched new bodies to mirror to around my part, as mirror faces did not seem to work, and when I join the bodies with the command tool I am still left with the lines the divided them. I have to go in to my 2d program and erase these before I cut the parts, which is annoying. 

 Ive included the model, Im sure Im not going about this process the right way. Any advice on how to properly add the locking parts on the tabs of the "dividers" would be much appreciated. 

thanks, 

Pearson

[jodom4]

Hey Pearsonh001,

I'm not sure I follow exactly what the issue is. Can you post a sketch of the "locking tabs" so we can get a better sense of what you're going for? In general, I wouldn't use the mirror command for some thing like this. I would copy/paste the component. That way, if you change the first component (maybe you see that your tolerances are too tight after laser cutting), the copy of the component will update automatically.

This instructable might be of use. It's got a youtube video explaining how to use parameters to make interlocking laser cut plywood panels. https://www.instructables.com/id/Hidden-Silhouette-Lamp/

[TrippyLighting]

This tis usually the result of lack in precision when designing.

I'd start by fully constraining and dimensioning my sketches using sensible dimensions.

Your 1st sketch is empty and your second sketch is not fully constrained and dimensioned.

The second mirror operation in your using results in the mirrored part not lining up with the sides. If a design is symmetric, then it is wise to design it with the origin in it's center so mirroring does not require additional construction planes.