How to joint two faces to be parallel

[Anonymous]

Hi,

The design

https://a360.co/2HbYY1D

How do I constraint the the two parts to have the surfaces with arrows to be parallel?

This is a constant problem e.g. when trying to assemble connectors together. Like this:

I can add planar joint so that the connectors are at correct distance from each other, and I can add cylindrical joint so that correct pins meet each other. But I cannot align them (by joint) as parallel.

Br, -Topi

[lichtzeichenanlage]

Without the project it's hard to say. If the default joint origins do not fit, you might want to create you own origins by using ASSEMBLE -> Joint Origin. Perhaps you might get away if you define an offset in your existing joints. 

Can you attach the project?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Here is the file.

Br, -Topi

[jeff_strater · Accepted solution]

@axel.mcrola, here is how I would constrain this design.  It depends a bit on what you want.  Do you want this locked into that position, or free to rotate, but has its home position with those planes aligned?

The first step is to delete your existing joints.  You just need one Revolute joint.  The Cylindrical + Planar joints you have really end up being a Revolute.  So, I replaced those with a Revolute.  Then, you can use Align to align the Revolute joint so that the planes of the arrows are parallel.  Redefine that as the Joint's home position.  If you want it locked in that position, you can lock the joint.

Screencast:  

[Anonymous]

Jeff,

Thanks for the solution.

I would still say that it not mathematically (as per how constraints are solved) elegant way of doing it.

I quite often turn into situations where F360 freezes for a moment (10 secs to 3 mins), and my guess is that it gets lost while trying to find a solution to constraints. Background reason might be that I have over constrained the assembly.

What I am missing, is couple of more joint (or call them constraints if you don't like non-mechanical joints) which would lock (reduce) only one or two DOF at a time.

E.g.

- 2 flat surfaces parallel (2 DOF locked)

- edge parallel to surface (1 DOF locked)

- edge on a flat surface (2 DOF locked)

- 2 edges parallel (2 DOF locked)

- 2 flat surfaces perpendicular (2 DOF locked)

- vertex on a (flat) surface (1 DOF locked)

- vertex on an edge (2 DOF locked)

And then it seems that a joint in F360 is always targeted on vertex. Some other CAD systems can target it to surface (either flat or cylindrical) and to edge. When not targeted to a vertex, the point of selection (of the surface or edge) becomes meaningless.

Br, -Topi

[andriejus_aputis]

Yep, I did come woth the same problem. We love Fusion 360 except for it's complicated mating system. To make two parallel planes in sw is just 3 clicks....

[TheCADWhisperer]

@andriejus_aputis 

This is an ancient thread.

Fusion now has the same geometry constraints that are in SolidWorks.

Attach your file here if you can't figure it out.

[andriejus_aputis]

I probably missed this new feature. Thanks a lot.  Now if you implement a "normal to" shortcut I would completely move to fusion 360 😄