1. Basic Assembly

2. Assembly Constraints
Assembly constraints are parameters that define geometric relationships between components in a CAD assembly
Constraints include
Mate/Flush
Angle
Tangent
Insert

3. Degrees of Freedom
A component floating in space has six degrees of freedom
Degrees of freedom are systematically removed in an assembly until only the desired components are allowed to move
3 rotations around
X, Y, and Z axes
3 translations along X, Y, and Z axes

4. Mate Constraint Constrains two faces, edges, points, or axes together
Red arrows represent normal vectors and point toward each other

5. Flush Constraint Constrains two faces or work features together
Normal vectors will point in the same direction

6. Angle Constraint
Constrains two faces or edges at an angle to one another
Normal vectors parallel to each other equal 0° angle

7. Insert Constraint
Constrains a cylinder flush into a hole

8. Tangent Constraint
Constrains a curved surface to a plane or another curved surface

9. Basic Assembly Constraints and Concepts
Introduction to Engineering Design TM
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Advanced Modeling Skills
Base Component
First component placed in an assembly should be a fundamental part or subassembly
E.g., a frame or base plate, on which the remainder of the assembly is attached
First component in an assembly file sets orientation of subsequent parts and subassemblies
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

10. Basic Assembly Constraints and Concepts
Grounded Component
Introduction to Engineering Design TM
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Advanced Modeling Skills
When the first component is placed in the assembly, its origin is coincident and aligned with the assembly coordinate origin
All degrees of freedom are removed from the first component
Base component will be grounded and should be left that way
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

11. Basic Assembly Constraints and Concepts
Introduction to Engineering Design TM
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Advanced Modeling Skills
Editing Components
Double click on a component to exit the assembly environment and enter part environment
Other components in the assembly will become translucent
When finished editing a part, exit the part environment and return to the assembly environment
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007

12. Today: Gather and Complete the following
Title page
Brief autobiography and your picture
Puzzle Design Challenge Brief
Brainstorming Possible Part Combinations (Activity 4.1a Puzzle Part Combinations)
Isometric sketches of two possible complete Puzzle Cube designs
Justification of your chosen Puzzle Cube design solution
Multi-view sketch, fully dimensioned of each of the five puzzle parts in your chosen design (Activity 4.1b Graphical Modeling)
Physical model of your puzzle.
Statistics related to the solution time of your puzzle as required above.
CAD drawings for each part, colored the same as the puzzles you built placed into an assembly.

13. Next Week
CAD drawing(s) displaying a fully dimensioned multi-view of each puzzle part and two different isometric views of the assembled puzzle.
Drawing review comments from a classmate.
A written summary of your puzzle test results and a discussion of the validity of your design. Does your design meet the design criteria? Does your design “provide an appropriate degree of challenge to a person who is three years of age or older” (as stated in the design statement)?
A discussion of possible changes to your puzzle cube that would improve the design.