Mates reference
Mates connect topology or datum references from two assembly instances. References can target faces, edges, datum planes, datum axes, or datum points.
Position mates
- Rigid / fasten: locks two references together with optional offset and flip.
- Planar: makes planes coplanar or offset.
- Concentric: aligns circular or cylindrical references.
- Distance: maintains a specified separation.
- Angle: maintains a specified angular relationship.
- Parallel: keeps two references parallel, with optional flip.
- Perpendicular: keeps references at 90°.
- Tangent: touches curved or planar references without penetration.
Motion mates
- Revolute: allows rotation around a shared axis, optionally driven by angle.
- Slider: allows translation along an axis, optionally driven by offset.
Mechanical mates
- Cam: relates a cam profile and follower.
- Gear: couples two rotational references by ratio, with optional reversal.
- Rack-pinion: couples rack travel to pinion rotation by radius.
- Belt: couples two pulleys with radii and optional reversal.
- Screw: couples rotation and translation by pitch.
Some advanced mate kinds may be easier to author with the assistant until every dedicated inspector control is filled out.
When debugging an assembly, suppress or remove mates in small groups and regenerate after each change. A rigid mate is the safest temporary lock while checking whether the remaining relationships are over-constrained. For motion studies, keep the driven value—angle, offset, ratio, radius, or pitch—named clearly so later edits are easy to audit.