Sandbox:Piffpoof9-2a

Introduction
In this tutorial we will continue on from XXX. In the previous tutorial we used the Sketcher and the Part Design workbench to create a housing for a lock. This tutorial will make a key to fit the housing but will exclusively use the Part workbench so as to show how to bring these two different approached together into one model.



Problem Background
Nominally we're setting out to create a key for our lock housing from the previous tutorial. We will integrate the key which we produce with the Part workbench with objects created previously using the Sketcher and Part Design workbench.

One thing to realise is that there is no "geometry" or formulas that we can use to control the positioning of the different parts. We will place the key at the correct location, we will do this manually. Should the lock housing ever be moved, then the key would have to be moved manually at that time.

Our key will not be overly realistic as this tutorial is really focussing on producing results using more than one workbench.

We will make the key in 3 pieces: All of this will be done using the Part workbench.
 * the key shaft
 * the teeth of the key
 * the handle of the key

Preparation
FreeCAD has numerous facilities and features. To make our work easier in this tutorial, we need to make sure some of them are visible. From the menu bar at the top of the screen select the option. This will produce the Combo View which is a browser with two panes, one above the other. The upper pane has two tabs Model and Tasks - select Model. The lower pane also has two tabs View and Data - select Data.

Viewing Work in Progress
While working through the tutorial, utilise the Standard View icons built into FreeCAD which will allow you to manipulate your viewpoint and so therefore better see what is being done. The icons are:, , , , , , , , all of which are described on the page Standard View Menu. Manipulating the viewpoint does not effect any of the objects being constructed. The very nature of 3-dimensional modeling means that often some of the result of an operation will be on an aspect of the model not currently visible. Judicious use of the viewpoint allows the modeler to fully appreciate the model being developed.

Further Ideas

 * Animate the key (see tutorial YYY)

Summary
We used the following tools in this tutorial:

Further Information

 * To learn more about the Sketcher and Part Design Workbenches, see Sketcher Workbench, Part Design Workbench