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Move a part on a machine that also moves

Goal: keep a part moving correctly while the machine it's mounted on moves or turns too. For example, a slider on a turntable, or a gripper on a moving arm.

How it works​

A moving part measures its movement relative to another object, its reference. If the reference moves, the part's limits move with it, so the part always slides or turns in the right place on the machine.

By default, the reference is the part's parent in the Hierarchy. If the part already sits inside the machine, you don't need to do anything.

If the part isn't inside the machine​

You can choose the reference yourself, without changing the Hierarchy:

  1. In the tool, select the part in step 2 Part, then open step 3 Movement.
  2. Drag the object it's mounted on, for example the turntable, from the Hierarchy into Reference Transform.
  3. Save the scene with Ctrl+S.

The Movement Axis or Rotation Axis is now measured along that object's axes.

Good to know​

  • Each part has only one reference. A part that's affected by several moving things should be set up in a Hierarchy that matches the machine, for example Base > Turntable > Arm > Gripper, so each part follows the one above it.
  • Parts with a pivot marker use the marker instead. Put that marker inside the moving machine so it moves along. See Turn a part around a hinge.