Modeling a folding knife

[Anonymous]

I'm working on modeling a pocket knife in Inventor and have a question.  The folding knife is a frame lock style and has 3 main parts (blade and 2 sides).  The first part I modeled was the blade.  To model the sides, it is necessary to reference the profile of the blade to locate the lock face and shape the sides.  After I completed the blade, I tried to use it as a derived part so I could reference when creating the side, but had no luck.  I also tried to add a side and the blade to an assembly, but didn't have any luck there either.  Ideally, I'd like to be able to use the profile of the blade in both the open and closed positions to complete the sides.  Can you point me in the right  direction? 

Thanks for the help!

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous

Welcome to the community..

Always when posting, please indicate which Inventor version you are using.

Also post what you have accomplished so far..  It helps..  Words or description may mean different things to each one of us.  You may understand it but we may not.. 

[blair]

I would start with a pivot pin that's grounded and the blade can then be "hinged" pivoted around this point (could use a work axis as well). Positional Reps will allow for the blade to be in either position, extended and folded.

Since this is your first post (welcome to the Forum), we don't have any idea of your level/proficiency with Inventor.

[Curtis_Waguespack · Accepted solution]

Hi angey.holt,

So I would do this as a multi-body part, meaning that you will create the sides in the same file as the blade, but as separate solid bodies. Then when complete, you will "write out" each solid body as an individual part file using the Make Components tool.

Also, you might use the Move Bodies tool with the Rotate option to show the knife folded and opened in the part file as you work out the shape.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis

http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[Anonymous]

Sorry about that... I'm using 2017.  So far, the only thing I have completed is the blade.  

[Anonymous]

That did the trick!  Thanks!