Insert Constraint Not Working?

[Anonymous]

First time poster here.  Still quite green with Inventor; trying to learn on my own.

I've created a mortise & tenon joint and am looking for an "easy" way to insert the tenon into the mortise in my .iam file.   I was able to do it using the Joint command, but it was a challenge and seemed overly complicated.

Then I found and attempted to use an Insert Constraint.  The videos make it look easy.  Except that once I select Insert Constraint, Inventor won't highlight any edges/surfaces when I hover over them.  I can get the Mate Constraint to work.  (Also, for some reason, the Insert Two Point Rectangle function in sketch mode does the same thing.)

Any ideas as to why the Insert Constraint isn't working like I think it should?  Can it be used only for round objects?  Any suggestions for easy ways to make my mortise & tenons fit?

Thanks!

[rhasell · Accepted solution]

Hi

Great stuff for giving it a crack.

I have had limited success with joints and tend to use a combination of joints and constraints, and the forum members will agree, that joint become personal preference. (I personally prefer constraint's.)

The insert constraint is used for cylindrical objects, eg Fasteners, or a CHS Column to a Circular baseplate.

As for your joint:

If you created you parts around the center point, you already have the default work planes at your disposal.

You can use a combination of Flush and Mate constraints.

Constrain the Mid planes to each other.

You may have to create a workplane for the mortise.

See my attempted screencast.

[Anonymous]

Dang. Whoever invented the ScreenCast deserves a raise.

What you did in 0:1:45 would have taken me 1:45:00.

First, you're creating a work plane on each piece then using the Flush Constraint to make the two planes coplanar.  Then, you're using the Mate Constraint to make the two pieces mate correctly. Easier said than done, surely.

I'll try tonight when I get home.

Thanks for the help.

[Anonymous]

Starting at 0:37, I don't understand why your're selecting the inner surfaces of the mortise.

ETA: Nevermind.  I figured it out.  You're creating the work planes to which you'll match the mortises.  Gotcha.  A lot going on in that video.

Thanks again.

[WHolzwarth]

Another way can be constraining by use of two axes.

Walter

[Anonymous]

Another good idea.  I'll try it. 

Thank you.

[rhasell]

Hi

Glad you figured it out. I never was the best with screencasts.

I edited the part in place, but what I normally do is open the part for editing instead. As you figured out, I needed a mid plane to constrain the parts correctly.

Inventor has specific clickables, but I am still old school, and just select the two faces.

I do have a comment regarding the Axes. In my opinion, please don't do that, rather use workplanes. There is a lot of room for error with workplanes, but with axes, if you change the sizes of your parts, create clearances etc, you have to go back and edit all you constraints again.

Once again axes are more suited for circular components, stay away from edges, as they are a variable, if you delete or change the edge, the constraint will fail. (eg add a fillet or chamfer)

My preferred order of constraints:

1 - Workplanes. Preferably Origin planes.

2 - Faces

3 - Work Axes

4 - Edges

5 - Only when there is no other alternative, work points.

5 - I use workpoints to anchor parts, but always double up with workplanes

6 - Points.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Well that was much easier than using joints!

I see your point about using mid-planes versus axes or edges.  The parts I already created weren't centered around the origin, so I created my own work planes for the same effect.  Thanks again!