Rotating Components in Inventor 2008?

[var]

Hi. I have a part inside an assembly that I want to flip around exactly 180°. If I use the manual "Rotate Component" tool I can't tell if I'm rotating the part exactly 180°. Is there any way to rotate components precisely with Inventor 2008 without using constraints? (the constraints are giving me other problems...)

Thanks!

[Lazer]

You can use the pattern component to rotate 180 degree or any angle you like, have alook and let us know how you get on.
10762

[JD Mather]

... without using constraints? (the constraints are giving me other problems)

Learn to use Assembly Constraints. Easy to use and follow logic of real world assembly.

[Rob123]

or just constrain it the way you want it to be, then delete the constrains :D

[shift1313]

i think if you flip the normal on yor first sketch plane (depending on the component) you might get a180 flip. you also have mirror

[Rob123]

but why no constraints? like ^^ how can u make an assembly without constrains

[var]

Thanks for your help. I'm just getting really frustrated because there's a lot of stuff that I need to be able to do with this software that I haven't learned how to do yet and my company won't let me take any more classes until the economy emerges from the toilet. I'm having to teach myself how to constrain everything properly so that I'll be able to make an animation and I feel like banging my head against a wall. This is cool software, but not intuitive or easily self-taught.

Thanks again for your help.

[Rob123]

if u want to make an animation try using driven constraints :),

[var]

Is it okay to have driven constraints? I thought they were bad...

[shift1313]

you will only get frustrated if you arent able to take the time and go through tutorials at the very least. being able to constrain something properly is the only way you are going to be able to animate it. And dynamic analysis is different because certain constraints have to be suppressed and joints created in the simulation

if you give us a little more info about what you are doing maybe we can help you. If you have an assembly with no constraints the only thing you will do in Inventor Studio is move each component individually which really gains you nothing.

[Rob123]

or. if its a really simple animation open a presentation file (.ipn) =))

[var]

The assembly (and then animation) that I have to make involves a series of door panels that hang from a track. The door panels start out in the same plane, but as they roll down the track they have to turn a corner (and the track splits into two tracks) and then the doors end up stacking up face to face (it's hard to explain). It's crucial that the rollers that the doors hang from operate properly so that they can roll and then turn the corner properly. The doors also have to be hinged correctly so that they can fold and stack.

One of the more simple things that I'm trying to do is apply an Insert Constraint to get the rollers properly constrained around the the shaft so that they can actually roll. Then I need to be able to off-set the roller from the end of the shaft because they're not supposed to be flush with each other. Every time I try to do this I can either do the Insert Constraint or the Flush (with an off-set) Constraint, but not both. It keeps telling me that there's a conflict and I don't understand what could possibly be conflicting!

[shift1313]

it depends on what you select, if you select a face or point or curve it all has different implications.

It sounds to me that its a very difficult assembly to constrain with little/no experience in the matter. How long do you have to do this? is it possible for you to post a drawing of the track for someone to take a look at?

[JD Mather]

Every time I try to do this I can either do the Insert Constraint or the Flush (with an off-set) Constraint, but not both. It keeps telling me that there's a conflict and I don't understand what could possibly be conflicting!

You can add an offset distance in the Insert constraint. You do not need the Flush constraint.

I would recommend getting far more experience before tackling the job you describe.

I find that most people don't have a clue how to model single parts, let alone do a job like you describe.

Have you gone through these http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/AU2006/MA13-3%20Mather.pdf
http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/AU2007/MA105-1L%20Mather.pdf

Certainly if you are having trouble with assembly constraints you have a long way to go. Keep asking questions and attach datasets when appropriate.

[var]

I took the Fundamentals classes for Inventor back in August and am pretty comfortable making the parts that I usually need to be able to make for work, but I haven't been able to take the Advanced Part Modeling and Advanced Assembly Modeling classes yet...

Unfortunately, I don't think I can post any files or images of what I'm working on. I would have to check and see if that's okay.

I appreciate the help, I know I'm not giving a lot of information. I'll check out that link....

[var]

I would recommend getting far more experience before tackling the job you describe.

Could you make the recommendation to my boss so that maybe he'll approve funding for me to take more classes? =)