Locating Placement of Holes on Bodies

[fsonnichsen]

I would like to place the left hole in the attachment along a centerline on the front face of the rectangle. I could do this with a sketch, or I could add reference distances for the hole---but I would simply like to draw a centerline along the length of the face and place the hole along this line, much as I would using sketch points.

    I note that the right hole produce a "dot" at the dead center of the rectangle while I was placing it--so I was able to set it there and then set the edge distance with a reference which is fine.

  But for the left hole I do not get the "dot" for some reason. 

I have played a bit with construction planes but I don't think this is the right way-

Is there a simple way to do this or should I just add a sketch?

Thanks

Fritz

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@fsonnichsen wrote:

Is there a simple way to do this or should I just add a sketch?

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We have a winning technique...

When you finish the part - attach it here and I will show an easier way.

[jeff_strater]

Agreed.  Sketch is the way to go.  You said "but I would simply like to draw a centerline along the length of the face and place the hole along this line, much as I would using sketch points.". This is exactly what the sketch environment is for.  Is there a reason why you are hesitant to use a sketch?  Just curious.

[g-andresen · Accepted solution]

Hi,

This is how I would do it.

günther

[fsonnichsen · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the notes. I attached a version of the final part that would work. It uses sketches.

   To answer Jeff's question-my interest here was largely academic-  Not necessarily avoiding sketches--it is how I do most of my drafting. But for really simply objects like that attached I thought it would be quick. In fact a lot of times I would like to position a hole without resorting to a complete sketch. The two "reference select" options on the hole object work but sometimes you would just like a hole to track a centerline if the overall object breadth changes.  In general placing a "dot" on a center (similar to what the hole command SOMETIMES does) and having some centerline commands when working outside of sketch would be useful.

cheers

fritz

Thanks for the feedback

Fritz

[TheCADWhisperer]

Attached is my alternate technique.

I generally avoid extra trimming and duplicated dimensions (See Sketch1).

I can't help but wonder if you don't want clearance holes on one side and threaded holes on the other side?

[fsonnichsen]

Thanks for your reply. I agree on your simpler design-Part of my problem is that I often "think as a go" and when I am done realize I could have done something simpler---with experience of course, the intermediate solutions converge on the final ones.

  Re. the fasteners-This part will be in plastic and I will use wing nuts on one side (it clamps to a mic stand) --Not sure threaded plastic will hold up to some of the strength of my colleagues.

cheers

fritz