Create iMate dialog box

Defines constraint pairs called iMates to specify how parts connect when inserted in an assembly. Symbols identify iMates. The symbols show the type and state of the iMate. You can rename a symbol to correspond with a matching constraint in other parts. Multiple iMates can be defined on a single part.

Access:

Ribbon: Manage tab Author panel iMate

Assembly tab

Specifies one or more constraint types, geometry, and constraint names to define iMates. The first specified constraint is the primary iMate.
Type	Specifies the constraint type to match when the part is inserted and constrained in an assembly.
		Mate constraint specifies that the selected face is positioned face to face or adjacent and flush to another face on a component with a matching iMate.
		Angle constraint specifies the allowed angle of the selected edge or planar face when positioned relative to another component with a matching iMate.
		Tangent constraint requires contact of the selected face, plane, cylinder, sphere, or cone at a tangent point on a component with a matching iMate.
		Insert constraint requires a face-to-face mate constraint between planar faces and a mate constraint between axes on a component with a matching iMate.
Selection	Selects the geometry on the part to constrain to an iMate on another part.
Offset or Angle	Specifies distance or angle by which the iMate halves are offset from one another.
Solution	Shows the relationship defined when the part is constrained to a matching iMate in an assembly.

Motion tab

Type		Rotation motion constraint specifies rotation of one component relative to another using a specified ratio. Cylindrical faces default to the geometric ratio between the selected cylinders.
		Rotation-Translation motion constraint specifies how two components translate relative to each other using a defined ratio.
Selections	Selects geometry on two components to constrain together. You can specify one or more curves, planes, or points to define how pieces fit together.
Ratio or Distance	Ratio For Rotation constraints, the ratio specifies how much the second selection rotates when the first selection rotates. For example, a value of 4.0 (4:1) rotates the second selection four units for every unit the first selection rotates. A value of 0.25 (1:4) rotates the second selection one unit for every four units the first selection rotates. The default value is 1.0 (1:1). If two cylindrical surfaces are selected, Autodesk Inventor computes and displays a default ratio that is relative to the radii of the two selections. Distance For Rotation-Translation constraints, the distance specifies how much the second selection moves relative to one rotation of the first selection. For example, a value of 4.0 mm moves the second selection 4.0 mm for every complete rotation of the first selection. If the first selection is a cylindrical surface, Autodesk Inventor computes and displays a default distance that is the circumference of the first selection.
Solution	Specifies if the motion is forward or reverse. Click the appropriate button.

Name and Match List

You can select a component using the Place Component dialog box, and select either Interactively place with iMates or Automatically generate iMates on place. If at least one component is already placed in the assembly, iMates are matched. You can increase the accuracy of the results by creating a Match List.
Name	Creates an iMate name. You can enter a name or leave blank and a default name is automatically created.
Match List	Creates a list of iMate names. When a component is placed, matching first attempts to find a name in the list, and then to match iMate properties.
	Add Name to List adds a name. Click it and then enter a name.
	Delete selected name removes the name from the match list.
	Move up in the list changes the order of the selected name.
	Move down in the list changes the order of the selected name.

In this example, multiple instances of a component are assembled in ladder form. To accomplish it, an iMate match list is created so Post 1 is always placed into Hole 2.

1. Create an iMate insert constraint named Insert_1 on Post 1. Expand the dialog box and create the preferred match (Insert_2) as the first entry in the match list.
2. Create an iMate insert constraint named Insert_2 on Hole 2. Expand the dialog box and create the preferred match (Insert_1) as the first entry in the match list.
3. Place the first instance of the component into an assembly.
4. Place the second instance of the component using the Place Component dialog box. Enable either iMate option (Interactively place with iMates, or Automatically generate iMates on place).

Note: To constrain fully on placement, follow these steps to create Insert_3 and Insert_4 on the remaining features.