Path Mate
A Path mate constrains a selected
point on a component to a path. You define the path by selecting one or
more entities in the assembly. You can define pitch, yaw, and roll of
the component as it travels along the path.
To add a path mate:
Click Mate
(Assembly toolbar) or Insert,
Mate.
In the PropertyManager, under Advanced
Mates, click Path Mate
.
Under Mate Selections:
For Component
Vertex, select the component vertex to attach to the path.
For Path
Selection, select contiguous curves, edges, and sketch entities.
To facilitate selection, click SelectionManager.
Under Advanced
Mates:
For Path
Constraint, select one:
Free.
Allows you to drag the component along the path.
Distance
Along Path. Constrains the vertex to a specified distance from
the end of the path. Enter the distance. Select Flip
dimension to change which end the distance is measured from.
Percent
Along Path. Constrains the vertex to a distance you specify as
a percentage along the path. Enter the percentage. Select Flip
dimension to change which end the distance is measured from.
The distance you specify
in Distance Along Path or Percent Along Path is assigned the variable
name D1@PathMate<n>,
which you can use in equations, custom properties, and design tables.
For Pitch/Yaw
Control, select one:
Free.
The pitch and yaw of the component are not constrained.
Follow
Path. Constrains one axis of the component to be tangent to the
path. Select X, Y,
or Z. Select or clear Flip.
For Roll
Control, select one:
Free.
The roll of the component is not constrained.
Up Vector.
Constrains one axis of the component to align with the vector you select.
Select a linear edge or planar face for Up
Vector. Select X, Y, or Z.
Select or clear Flip.
You cannot use the same axis
for both Pitch/Yaw Control and
Roll Control.
Click 
.