Fixing a Component 

Fixing a component means preventing this component from moving from its parents during the update operation. There are two ways of fixing a component:
  • Fix in space: by fixing its position according to the geometrical origin of the assembly, which means setting an absolute position.
  • Fix: by fixing its position according to other components, which means setting a relative position.

This scenario first shows you how to fix a component in space, then how to fix it.
You can now fix a component by specifying the coordinates.
Before fixing the desired component, make sure it belongs to a component defined as active.

Open the Fix.CATProduct document.
1. 

Click the Fix component icon:

 

Fix in Space
  This command is also available from the Insert menu. You can edit the coordinates and fix the absolute position of a component with the Fix in space option.
  By default, the  Fix command fixes components in space.
2.  Select the component to be fixed, that is the light blue component.
The constraint is created. A green anchor is displayed in the geometry area to indicate that this constraint has been defined. 

A lock symbol preceding the anchor is displayed in the specification tree too:

Graphic symbols used for constraints can be customized. For more information, refer to Customizing Constraint Appearance.
3. Move the fixed component using the compass.

4. Update the assembly to see which component is moved: the fixed component returns to its previous location:

5.

Enter the coordinate and fix the absolute position using the Fix in space option.
   

By default, the Fix in space option is selected.
 

Editing a constraint from the Properties Dialog box
  6.

Edit the position of a component by editing the properties of the Fix in space constraint using following dialog box:
  7.

Clicking on the f(x) displays the six parameters. You cannot change the parameters but can modify their values.
 

Fix Constraint
8.

Double-click the fix constraint you have just created to edit.
9. In the dialog box that appears, click More to expand the dialog box.
10.

 

Uncheck the Fix in space option to the left of the dialog box. The lock symbol is no longer displayed in the specification tree, meaning that the component is positioned according to the other components only.
11. Move the fixed component using the compass.
12.

Click OK to confirm.
13. Update the assembly: now the component remains at its location. Conversely, the dark blue component is moved to the fixed component.