Changing parameters breaks alignment

[TimN_FL]

I am still very new to Fusion 360 and I have been trying to understand how to make components relate to one another in a way that I understand. Searching the forums and the internet all of the similar examples that I saw used mirroring which I cannot use because I want to generate a parts list for my design and I've already learned that copy\move correctly collates the parts the way that I prefer. I have simplified the design that I am working on to illustrate the issue that I am having without a lot of complexity. The following is the procedure that I used to generate the attached model

1. Create parameters to define all of the base dimensions
2. Create new component (footer) using dimensions from parameters
3. Extrude using dimensions from parameters
4. Create new component (side) using dimensions from parameters
5. Copy side and move to correct location using point to point move
6. Copy footer and move to correct location using point to point move

Following this process, everything looks fine. When I edit one of the parameters, the alignment for the components gets messed up. 

I have tried using construction planes and constraints to try and create a relationship between the components but that doesn't seem to be working either. I have tried adding dimensions but I receive an error stating that "Adding this dimension will over-constrain the sketch". If someone can explain to me what I am doing wrong in this model. I think that will help me to apply the concept to my more complex model that I am actually working on.

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

The reason your alignment goes hay-wired when you change a parameter is because you do not have ANY assembly joints holding components together.  I added some quick joints and attach your alter model for you to look at.

[davebYYPCU · Accepted solution]

Nothing Grounded.

No Joints.

Ground the Base component.

Copy paste but do not place with point to point, if using parameters to change component dimensions.

When pasted, position with Joint, and the joint position will take the parts to the required updates.

Might help.....

[TimN_FL]

Thanks for the quick reply. Joints definitely fixed the issue and now I have something new to learn about. I'm just surprised that all of the online "Fusion 360 for woodworking" tutorials that I have been watching to understand all of this never mentioned joints.

Thanks again

[TimN_FL]

Thanks for the reply. It seemed that joints was the missing piece. Thanks for also mentioning the grounding portion. I will do a bit more research on that so I can understand what effect it will have on my designs. It still suprises my how little joints are discussed in all of the online tutorials.

Thanks again,

Tim

[davebYYPCU]

Your file is an Assembly.  Components are free to move with click drag until prevented, ground for the first one, is almost a joint to origin.  

If the file has no components, then joints are not available. 

Woodworking could be done with a number of bodies and no components, but nesting, parts lists, joints and other component requirements would be missing in that case,

So the end game for the file becomes the driving factor.

Might help.....