Problem with mate/constraints

[igers562WV]

A former employee created assembly templates which have parts that are mated. Each part has 2 mates to the other. 

one part can be moved along 2 different axis. I am trying to figure out how he did it. I can only get one mate and it does not move the direction I want it to. Can someone help explain how this was done? I have attached the files.

[andrewiv]

Maybe it would be better if you could explain what you are trying to achieve.  What movement are you expecting to remain after the parts are constrained?  In the example file you gave, all three parts can move freely.  I would suggest grounding one of them to the origin before trying to incorporate movement.

[Tlenn7KXAD]

This seems to be an invalid method of mating parts together. When uploading to my Inventor, all the constraints are unresolved. Potentially this is just an issue of downloading the files; however, I think that whoever completed this assembly did the ole- quick and easy. Rather than using planes-

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I guess the Limit Constraint was used. Edit the constraint you would like to set the limit. Expand the dialog and set the min and max of the offset value. Then the components will be able to move within the limit.

Many thanks!

[igers562WV]

I have tried grounding the center part and then placing just one of the other components. I can get it to mate. The problem is when I want to off set it, it moves on either the Y or X axis, not the Z axis. If I could get it to move on just the Z axis I would be happy.

[igers562WV · Accepted solution]

I solved the problem with the help of the 3 comments given.

I went back and edited the extrusion.

The wafer.ipt is now extruded in the opposite direction of the int_inv.ipt.

In the int_inv.iam I deleted mates 2 and 4. Now the assembly works the way I want it to.

I have included the updated files.

Thank You all for the clues that I needed. And a little out of the box thinking on my own. 🙂