Tech Tip: How to Use the Mate Connector Attachment Option in Onshape

Ever had a Mate connector go rogue when your part geometry changed? That's where the Attachment option in the Mate connector feature becomes your best friend. It keeps components aligned and moving correctly downstream, whether you're working in a Part Studio or an Assembly.

Let's Start in the Part Studio

Create a Mate connector on a part face, then set the Attachment to that same face using "To selection."

If that face ever moves, your Mate connector moves with it. No orphaned connectors, no manual fixes – it just updates.

A Step Further

Say you’re placing non-sheet metal components in a specific spot relative to a sheet metal part but you still need those components to move correctly when the sheet metal folds or unfolds.

The Attachment option handles this too:

• Use the grey part's geometry to define where the Mate connector sits

• Choose the sheet metal part's face for the Attachment selection
• Set the sheet metal part as the Owner Entity

This gives you precise positioning now, with the flexibility to track the sheet metal's motion later.

Now, bring it into the Assembly.

Insert your parts, then mate them using that explicit Mate connector you just set up. From there, a simple Configuration checkbox lets you flip between the bent and folded states with one click.

That's it. You’ve just leveled up your Mate connector game with the Attachment option. Small feature with lots of control.

This Tech Tip helped you learn how to use the Attachment option in the Mate connector dialog.