Assembly angle constraints.

[dgiy]

Lets say I knew a guy that was building a hinge mechanism. Lets call him e.g. Dick. And he wants to constrain the motion of that hinge to only go between x degrees and y degees. What are some ways Dick could do this?

The guy I know says thanks in advance.

Regards,
DickGiznya

 

[SWVB101]

What Version Of SW? 99, 2000, 2001, 2001+, 2003...?
Every Year they add more features to the constraints, The version makes a difference if it is possible to get the requested functionality...

Thanks,
--Josh--

 

[dgiy]

Sorry,

I forgot
Solidworks 2003 sp3.1

Thanks

 

[SBaugh]

Has Dick tried using an angle mate dimension?

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[Mandrake22]

Option #1.
Construct appropriate linkage and attach to the mechanism such that the linkage limits the rotation.
Hide linkage.
We use this method now for hydraulic cylinders and doors that are supported by gas struts.

Option #2.
Wait for SWX 2004.

 

[Theophilus]

Does this need to be done dynamically?

If not, I normally set a mate to constrain one of the angles I want. I then label that mate and suppress it. Then I move the parts to the next angle I want and mate it there. I label that mate. Now I can suppress or unsuppress either of the mates or suppress both for free hinge-style movement of the parts.

If this needs to be done dynamically, I'd love to know the solution.




Jeff Mowry
DesignHaus Industrial Design

http://www.designhaus-i-d.com

 

[Mandrake22]

Theophilus,
Both of my options were intended to allow dynamic angle limiting. Option #1 admittedly is not the best solution, but it works.

 

[Theophilus]

Mandrake22,

Thanks for the post. I haven't tried this yet.

How do you create linkage such that movement can be constrained dynamically? After putting some thought to it, I can think of some complicated mechanisms--anything simple you already thought of?




Jeff Mowry
DesignHaus Industrial Design

http://www.designhaus-i-d.com

 

[Mandrake22]

Well, at the simplest, the way I would try this is to make two links straighten out to limit one directin and two more links straighten out and limit the other direction. One would have to ensure that the links would allow full movement when moving in the direction opposite the one that they are limiting. It is clear that this might be a trial and error type exercise. But with that good ol' parametrics it shouldn't take too much time.
Mike Wilson has some other interesting techinques for limiting motion. One of them is an angle limiter. Here is a link:

http://www.mikejwilson.com/solidworks/solidworks_files.htm

 

[Scoobystu]

You could pass this idea onto your friend!!

How about simply making a part that has a vee cut in it between the angles you need. Put it in the assembly at the hinge point and orient it in the desired direction. Then use the move component function pick on the part that is hinging and the part with the vee, select stop at collision and it will only move within the vee block.