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Modify components in factory layouts

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    To help you modify component placement in a Factory Layout design, it is helpful to learn about the layout tools on the Factory tab. These tools enable you to change position and orientation of components that already are placed on the factory floor.

    The following commands can be accessed from the Layout Tools panel on the Factory tab.

    • Align
    • Reposition
    • Assemble
    • Pattern
    • Copy
    • Mirror

    Align

    The Align command lets you align multiple components in various directions and orientations, based on a selected reference component. The Align dialog box consists of four sections that are used for aligning components: Selection, Align Position, Align Orientation, and Distribute.

    • Selection Selects a reference component and components to align to it.
    • Align Position Allows you to align a specific boundary box edge or center of a selected component to a boundary box edge or center on a reference component.
    • Align Orientation Allows you to orient the X or Y axis of a selected component to the X or Y axis of the reference component.
    • Distribute Lets you align components horizontally or vertically based on their left edges, center points, or right edges. The alignments occurs between the selected components, and does not use a reference component. Distribute also aligns components so that they can be equally spaced along horizontal or vertical intervals.

    Reposition

    The Reposition command helps you accurately position single or multiple components on the factory floor. A triad is provided for selecting axes or planes to reposition components in a translational or rotational manner.

    Assemble

    The Assemble command creates constraints which control the position of assembly components. You can apply Mate, Flush, Angle-Directed, Tangent, Insert, and UCS constraints using a mini-toolbar in the graphics window.

    Pattern

    The Pattern Components command duplicates one or more components and arranges the resulting occurrences in a circular or rectangular pattern on the factory floor.

    Copy

    The Copy Components command creates a copy or a new instance of selected factory floor components. You can copy either the entire assembly being edited, (such as a stack of pallets), or just a subset of components.

    Mirror

    The Mirror Components command creates reflected versions of factory floor components. You can mirror either the entire assembly being edited, (such as a factory work cell), or just a subset of components.

    Note: For more information, refer to the Inventor Help topics: Assembly components in patterns, Copied assembly components, and Mirrored assembly components.