Maintain join when combining components

[pixelsandcode]

Today I have managed to get my head around joins, well I thought I did.  I have a shape that has an imported part from Misumi, a slide rail.  Now I have got the slide rail joined to the shape using the planer join, no problem.  I have managed to get the rail to slide within it's housing - a little trickier, but managed it.  Now if I want to move the whole part into position I read somewhere you can create a new component and add these 2 separate components into it.

Now I can move the component around, however, my slide has stopped working.

So my question is, can I fix this so it maintains its slide join - or is it more best practice to join the main shape (with it's slide rail) to wherever I need to put it?

[jhackney1972]

Please attach your model so the forum users can troubleshoot your issue.  If you do not know how to attach your model, open it in Fusion360, select the File menu and then choose Export and save the .F3D file to your hard drive. Then use the Attachments section of a reply forum post to attach it.

[pixelsandcode]

Ok I have attached my model.  By the way this is something I am doing as a practice, training exercise if you like.  I'm going to build something from a plan I bought, and thought I would have a go at modelling it up.

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

I just published a blog article and video on  how to add Fusion 360 Joints to a linear slide bearing.  Please take a look.  To address you question, you should create a sub-assembly of the linear slide, add all the Joints necessary for it's motion to it (follow the blog article and video) and then place it into your assembly.  Once there you should add other Joints to position it as needed.  By the way, I would refrain from using Planar Joints in this instance due to the fact that they have two axis motion, use Slider Joints.  One thing you will see in the video is the ability to change direction of a Slider Joint, pay close attention to it.

[pixelsandcode]

Ok thanks for the video link.

I think I did create a sub-assembly for the sliders.  and then I joined the back of one of them to the block, but I've just realised my problem and how I can solve it.

I hadn't grounded the block and the back piece of the slider which was joined to the block wasn't grounded either, or it was, but it must have lost that status.

So it now works.  

Most probably not the most efficient way, or the best - but at this point in my journey with this kind of stuff ( just 3 days), I'm quite happy.