How to extrude a part from another part to create a 'extruded path'?

[smdoucette90]

First off, I'm using Inventor 2016.

The goal here is to create a channel/mold that is the shape of the part, but in a way where you can 'drop the part' into the mold.  And for those that are familiar with such things, the ultimate goal is to make a 'check fixture' so that the part can be checked for correct shape by being dropped into the check fixture.

I know how to make molds for connectors by deriving the connector from a base part and then sculpting, but it's a lot different when I'm doing that for a tube that intersects all all three planes.  I could apply the same method to solve this, but it would be very tedious and time consuming. 

Is there a way I can just drop the part into a base part, derive it, and extrude the profile of the part out of it?

Here's the tube (with connectors assembled), as well as the base mold with the tube that I'd like to sculpt it from.

Remember,  the goal is to create a path that makes it easy to 'drop the part into the block base, so a extruded path towards the top is what I'm looking for.

Also, here's a mold for this part that was made using the method I applied to the connectors. (it's ugly but it works) This particular mold was only for the tube and didn't include the connectors.

[SBix26]

I think this can be done, but you'll need to provide all the components for the assemblies.  Assemblies by themselves are useless, they're basically just the assembly instructions, but have no parts. 

If you would upgrade to Inventor 2020, at least, there is a much simpler method using Solid Sweep, but in 2016 it will have to be a bit more work.

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Sam B
Inventor Pro 2021.1.1 | Windows 10 Home 2004
LinkedIn

[smdoucette90]

Hmm I see, well I'll see about upgrading then if that is the case.

Here are the other parts of the assemblies, albeit renamed to somewhat protect their confidentiality.

The  90-connector may not work but if someone could do it with just the tube profile like I did in my Print mold that would be awesome.

I'll have to make a couple more posts in order to upload all of the components

[smdoucette90]

Here's the assemblies for the 'pad print' part.

I'd be impressed if someone took the time to help me figure this out.

[SBix26 · Accepted solution]

@smdoucette90 

This was pretty painful in Inventor 2016, but here is a successful execution of what I think you're hoping for.

Feel free to ask questions, it's quite a different workflow than I've done before, and it took awhile to find a successful technique.  A simpler part would have more options.

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Sam B
Inventor Pro 2021.1.1 | Windows 10 Home 2004
LinkedIn

[smdoucette90]

Oof.

That looks complicated with the ruled surface parts.

Well I'm impressed you got that far with it.

That is pretty close to what I wanted for the Pad Print side-of-things.  From there I'd just have to cut down and expose certain areas so that a pad print machine could print in certain areas as was seen in my version. I definitely don't do enough when it comes to the 3D sketch mode and using tools such as silhouette projections as well as a lack of proficiency in the boundary patch and ruled surface areas.

I was able to get our manager to talk to HQ overseas to send us their model (which they do in CREO) and here is the attachment below. (for Confidentiality purposes I've removed several things and left only the 'tube channel'). I've also done some work to it to get it ready to be split into multiple bodies and then 3D printed in sections. If you suppress all my work done to it up to 'Base 1' model, you'll see what I was working with.

It takes them a long time to make these 'check fixtures' and then send them overseas to us so we're trying to 3D print our own while we wait for them to send us the 'full production- capable model.

I appreciate the help thus far and now see what areas of Inventor I need to work on.