how do I make an animated living hinge? 1

[dalamar]

I'm new to SolidWorks and am fumbling my way through. My most recent problem is that I need to create 3-d models of plastic living hinges. Is there a way to create a working (animated) living hinge with SolidWorks?

 

[MadMango]

The only way to do this is by using configurations of your part in various positions, or to use a Design Table to drive your sketch of your part.

You could also cheat, and create a 2 part assembly of your hinged part, to simulate a living hinge for "shown-n-tell". "The attempt and not the deed confounds us."

 

[macatac]

Hello. I am also a new user of SolidWorks and had to animate a hinge. I used the first suggested approach and it work pretty well. Take care as to how you mate the hinge. In addition, you have to mate the hinge in its perpendicular configuration and then insert that into your assemble.

 

[SBaugh]

Have any of you tried using the Physical Dynamics yet in your assembly when working with moving parts? Can that help you out any?

Regards, Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
credence69@REMOVEhotmail.com

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.3dmca.com

*When in doubt always check the help*

 

[dalamar]

thanx for the ideas ... it was along the lines of what I was thinking. I ended up making the parts in segments and mating them in the center of the living hinge so that I could move them in a manner that made the hinge look as if it was working. not my prefered way but it works.

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[Regg]

You could also make the hinge an assembly and insert into your main assembly as a flexible assembly.

 

[dalamar]

that is basically what I did. I cut my part into pieces and then made them into a subassembly, mating them in a way that they could only move in a manner consistant with the living hinge.I then put this subassembly into the main assembly and made a configuration that showed it and a second one that shows it as a solid(no visible cut lines).
the solid version can be used to make the mold while the moving "cut" version is a good visual to show a client how it will move. Thanks for all responses they are appreciated.

ò¿~