Model parts in the context of an assembly, using references to other components to complete the design. The design intent for new parts (sizes of features, placement of components in the assembly, etc.) comes from other components in the assembly. Build a virtual part in the context of an assembly by employing Top-Down assembly modeling techniques. Create features in the assembly context by referencing geometry in mating parts. Understand InPlace mates and external references. Identify external references in the FeatureManager design tree.
Add each of the six mechanical mate types to control the degrees of freedom of components when designing mechanisms. Mate a cylinder, plane, or point to a series of tangent faces with a cam follower mate. Limit the rotational movement between two components with a hinge mate. Move one component linearly to move another component rotationally with a rack and pinion mate. Add a pitch relation between the rotation of one component and the translation of another with a screw mate. Rotate two components relative to one another with a gear mate or a universal joint mate.
