How to place components at distances from each other?

[Anonymous]

How do I create an assembly with components placed at a desired distance apart?

Example: I want to position 2 vertical posts say 4" apart. Once those posts are in place I want to build a new component that is referenced from them. If i change the distance between the posts, I want the new component to change. I cannot figure out how to place parts at a distance from each other.

In Solidworks I could use offset plane mates. How do I do that in Fusion 360?

[Anonymous]

You can use a rigid joint for this. Select "Joint" in the "ASSEMBLE" panel. In the JOINT pop-up window, make sure the Motion Type is set to Rigid. Select Joint origins for each component from the faces that are facing the other component. After the selections are made, you will be able to specify an offset in the Alignment section of the JOINT window.

For the intermediate component, if you sketch it on the face of 1 post and extrude it to the other post using the "To" Extents instead of the "Distance" Extents, the length of the intermediate component will change if you edit the offset of the rigid joint used to position the posts.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply.

How do you create a joint origin on a round surface? It won't let me select the components planes.

[HughesTooling]

After selecting a face and a position you have an option to Reorient, turn on the origin for the component and pick an axis then drag along the Z. If the round part uses a user parameter for it's diameter you can enter that as the offset so it updates with any changes. Note make sure the component is active when you add the joint origin also if the origin axis are not what you want you can always make a sketch with a line at the correct angle.

Mark

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info Mark.

It is unfortunate however that you can't do this with a part referenced outside the assembly. I see that I can break the link but I need the parts to be dynamic.

[HughesTooling]

If I understand what you're after, have you tried right clicking the linked part in the browser and Open, add the joint origin in the external design and save - close, update the assembly and the joint should be in the linked component.

Mark