Tech Tip: How to Mate Components onto a T-Slot Aluminum Frame

Onshape automatically snaps Mate connector points to whichever geometry your mouse hovers on when creating mates, such as points and edge midpoints. When you need to mate to a location other than these common geometric locations, you can create explicit mate connectors, like in this Onshape Learning Center example. Now, you want to expand this approach to add a Mate connector to an aluminum frame with T-slots.

Method 1: Create Explicit Mate Connectors without Sketching

You can still create an explicit Mate connector at the intersection of the midplane and the top face. The fillet round has a Mate connector point at the sharp. Use the Between entities option, then choose the opposite flat face.

Pros: Conveniently creates a starting point suitable for slider mates.

Cons: Position may deviate if the frame undergoes a geometrical change (miter cut); if the intent is to insert the component upright, the z-axis needs to be reoriented.

Method 2: Create a Sketch on the End Face

You can always create a sketch in the Part Studio that is used later for mating. In this case, sketch a line or a quarter box on the end face. This provides flexibility to create mate connectors in different orientations and locations.

Pros: Defining Mate connectors with sketches is more robust.

Cons: An additional sketch is required.

Patterning/Mirroring an Explicit Mate

To avoid repeating the same steps, pattern or mirror the explicit Mate connectors as a feature to place in other slots.

Now that you have an aluminum frame with strategically placed explicit Mate connector points, you can mate components with only one Mate as you normally do. This simplifies the offset measurement so that the design intent is accurately captured. This is especially useful when you want to keep track of different design options with Named positions.

This Tech Tip helped you explore Onshape’s Mate connector capabilities and how you can easily mate components to a complex part. Watch the video below for more:

For additional learning materials, explore our training courses and videos on advanced mating techniques and defining high-performing assemblies in Onshape Self-Paced Courses and Technical Briefings.