Moving component along curves

[Morez]

Hi,

I'm new to the site and I need some help to resolve my problem.

I would like to move a part along a sketch in an assembly. This is to simulate a chain link moving on his trajectory and see interference with the environment.

If I can just drag it in the screen, it's gonna be perfect, but if I need to use Mechanism or animation, it's gonna be okay.

Anybody have any clue or already face the problem???

Thanks

 

[hydromech]

Create a datum point on the part that you want to move...
In the assembly, sketch the trajectory that you want to move the part along.
Put the part in the assembly using the mechanism constraints and use the point on a line constraint. Place other constraints to keep the orientation.

The part can now be moved along the curve.
Assuming you have the mechanism license...use mechanism to drive the part along the curve.

 

[Morez]

Hi,

Thanks for the answer. Before I start this post, I've already try this solution but there's a problem with it. When you constraint a part's datum point on a sketch line, the parts will follow only the selected line and not the entire sketch cause you can't select the entire sketch. Please see my simplified model in the attachment.

I understand that this solution works for a sketch which contain only one sketch entities, but when you have a complete loop with two straight line and two arc circle, for me that doesn't work.

I would like to know if there's a way to drag the part along the complete sketch.

Thanks!!!

 

[adamlunar]

Try drawing the trajectory with a single spline. I don't think you'll be able to loop it but you should be able to get (more or less) straight and curved sections.

 

[cadcamguy]

Been awhile and I don't have pro open right now..but click on the sketck geo ,copy and paste it back, it should be a curve now.. and you can add the extra segments in redefine

then hide , so that you only get the curve the sketch, then you can move it along the whole deal.

I'll open up proe and get the whole details... done this before

 

[cadcamguy]

You don't need to create the datum curve , but when you select the lines in the slot def. hold down ctrl and it will allow you to pick more than the one seg of the sketch.

I seem to remember that if you did the copy and then gave it a name you could bag all of it by selecting by name.

of course this is in mech. and your connection will be planer at first.. then the slot