Aligning Holes

[mtriffon]

I have a component created by someone else.  It is a flat plate with several holes.

I need to move some holes and create new ones that need to be aligned with existing ones.  I tried the Align tool but cannot seem to get the result I need.

Do you have any suggestions?

Also, how can I measure the distance between 2 offset holes along an axis?  The measuring tool always measures from one hole to another.

Thank you.

[paul.clauss · Accepted solution]

Hi @mtriffon

Thanks for posting! The Align tool wants to align feature geometries exactly, so I think that the Move command may give better results here. Its also important to remember that axis distances are only shown when measuring between two points (rather than faces, bodies, or edges) in Fusion 360. 

To re-position the holes, it may also be helpful to create some sketch geometry to reference (this makes the Move command easier as you can leverage the "Point to Point" option). I've shown this in the screencast below - please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

[jhackney1972]

I created a screencast performing the three operations you desire.  One thing I want to do is assure you that when I measure, the 4.75 inch dimension is the true distance between the holes.  The sketch of the center points is below to prove it.

[mtriffon]

That answers 2 questions, thank you very much!

[mtriffon]

This would work great for another issue I have, the only issue is that I cant seem to get the 'Create components from bodies menu'.

What do I need to do to activate that?

[paul.clauss]

Hi @mtriffon

The "Create Components from Bodies" option should be available when you right click any body in the Browser tree. I hope this helps!

[mtriffon]

I was able to do the creation but not move the faces.  This was actually another question I had posted elsewhere.  I recorded what happens.

[jhackney1972]

You did not watch my video close enough.  There are two mistakes you are making, one which prevents the function from moving from a remote measuring point, the other is your selection method MAY select faces you do not want.  Take a look at the screencast, I emphasis both of your mistakes to get the function to work easily,.

Screencast will be displayed here after you click Post.

8a7e118e-13e0-409a-977b-377c19de795a

[mtriffon]

Actually I rotated the object to check faces, I should have included that part.  I'll take another shot.

Thanks for the help!

[jhackney1972]

I forgot to attach my screencast, sorry.  Here it is.

[mtriffon]

Ok I believe I did it exactly as you said, I believe in the video I didn't activate but I tried after.  I still get the error you will see flash in the bottom right.  I am uploading the screencast and will post the moment it is active.

Thank you very much for being so diligent in trying to help me.

[mtriffon]

Here it is.  I just tried moving the hole alone and that worked.  Must be a geometry problem.  I also attached the component, I hope I exported it correctly.

Please excuse my sniffles, I have the flu.

[jhackney1972]

I appreciate you attaching your model.  I am guessing that you did not model this component.  I am saying that because of two things I observed.  The first is the dimensions are all over the map with not one even millimeter value in the whole thing.  Second, if I look at the center large hole, it is in segments.  If you modeled it, it would be one continuous surface. I am guessing you imported it as a STEP file or from something else.

That being said, you have imported some modeling errors which is causing the error when you try and move the faces.  In my screencast, I created selection sets for the four quadrants of the pattern without the center hole.  The next to the last selection set will not move due to a modeling error.  The last selection set, the center large hole, contains 53 entities, it should contain one! 

You can use the selection sets, except the lower right pattern, to move the faces.  You will have to find the error in the pattern or re-model it.

My model is attached.  I hope you know how to upload it and try it out.  By the way, I cannot operate with a black appearance so I changed it to default.

Hope you feel better!

[mtriffon]

As I mentioned at the beginning, I did not model it, and like you, I came to the same conclusion, it is very sloppy.  I resorted to erasing all the faces and recreated them myself to be able to proceed.

I can't thank you enough for the help, you really went above and beyond!

[mtriffon]

By the way, I noticed you had what seemed like a quick trick to make the 1/4 arches, anything you can share?

Thanks!

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

I did not make the arches over again, all I did was to make some selection sets to help me select the various faces while I was testing. Selection sets are just stored entities that you are going to use over again so you only have to select them once.