Using the Tangent command

To place a new part into the assembly, drag a placement part from the Parts Library into the assembly workspace.

The system automatically opens the Assemble command and the associated Assemble command bar, and highlights the placement part (for more information, see Assemble parts (workflow)).

On the Assemble command bar, select the Tangent option from the Relationship Types drop-down list .

For more information, see Using the Tangent features on the command bar.

On the highlighted part being placed, select the sphere, cylinder, cone, or torus element to use to form the connection.

Select the assembly part that is to be used to form the relationship.

On the part in the assembly, select the sphere, cylinder, cone, torus, or plane element to use to form the Tangent relationship.

Select the Offset Type.

Select a single Fixed value or two values that specify a Range.

• Fixed—To constrain the part to a specified value, select the Fixed option and then enter the value.

• Range—To allow movement of the placed part, select the Range option and enter the two values (minimum and maximum) that represent the amount of movement that is to be allowed.

To complete the action, press OK.

The Assemble command bar remains open to apply the next relationship.

To apply another relationship, continue with Create additional relationships.

To close the Assemble command and the Assemble command bar, press the Esc key.

Sometimes a second relationship must be formed to fully assert a Tangent relationship (similar to a Mate relationship).

To create a Tangent relationship between two parts, you can do either of the following:

• To create a relationship using the Assemble command bar, the Assemble command bar must be open. If is not open, select the Assemble command (Home tab→Assembly group→Assemble). On the Assemble command bar, select the Tangent icon from the Relationship Types drop-down list.

• To create a relationship using the Tangent command bar, the Tangent command bar must be open. If is not open, select the Tangent command (Home tab→Assembly group→Tangent) .

The actions that can be performed are the same for each option. However, after the Tangent command bar is opened, only a Tangent relationship can be applied. The relationship type cannot be changed (see Using the Tangent features on the command bar).

Select the relationship parts and features as described previously.

To complete the action, press OK.

To close the command and the command bar, press the Esc key.