basic assembly ?

[2ms1]

Let's say you have a shaft and a part that the shaft runs through. Let's say that the part is always centered on the shaft. Is there no way to assemble it with a constraint that directly reflects the centeredness relationship between the two? Do you really have to manually calculate the offset and just do a plain align contrainst with some offset value?

 

[appinmi]

If you create both part symetric to a datum plane, you can align the 2 datums in the assembly. That will allways keep the part centered with each other.

 

[[-Skint-]]

Depending on the shape of the parts I would use either the datum planes or an axis constraint.

 

[dr_gallup]

You can align axis or insert cylindrical surfaces to get coaxial constraint. I prefer axis, seems to be more robust.

 

[govindswaroopm]

I agree with Dr_gallup, sometimes your geometry can change from the datum planes when required a modification. But finally shaft has to go to the mating part and axisalways maintains that relationship:-o)

 

[burnsp]

As I understand the question, it'snot how to center the shaft radially, but axially. If axially, then appinmi's answerseems most relevant. If radially, then listen to dr_gallup and use align axis. I routinely use both of these methods but not for the same type of constraint.