Simulating movement of a pin within a guiding groove using Kinematics Simulator (CATIA V5)

[Perplexed_w_CAD]

Hello everyone!

I need to simulate the movement of a pin in a guiding groove. This groove has 3 sections. 2 sections are completely straight. The middle section is a spline. The pin moves to and fro following the profile of the guiding groove.

I need to simulate this motion using the DMU Kinematics simulator. The pin is cylindrical and the groove also does not have plane faces throughout. The pin must be free to rate about its axis, even during the guided movement. Can anyone suggest a type of joint or mechanism that I could use for this purpose? or any other way to simulate the same, without using the Kinematic Simulator module? Thank you!

 

[jackk]

Do you have a picture you could share to help us better understand the motion?

A couple suggestions"

1. You will probably need a joint for a centerpoint on the pin to follow the centerline on the entire length of the groove. Maybe two?

2. Ignore the fact that the pin can rotate

 

[drewmumaw]

Use a "point to curve" joint.

Drew Mumaw

http://www.textsketcher.com

http://www.drewmumaw.com

 

[itsmyjob]

I need to simulate this motion using the DMU Kinematics simulator

if you just want to make a video I suggest you use DMU Navigator and forget Kinematics if you can.

V5(at least up to R24, not sure after) needs you to control all DOF including the rotation of the pin on its own axis

Eric N.
indocti discant et ament meminisse periti ​

 

[Perplexed_w_CAD]

Thanks for your replies!

@itsmyjob - i need to simulate this motion, to see if the given sub assembly will fit into another main assembly. I don't really need to make a video.

@drewmumaw - at the moment I am using point to curve - I thought maybe there is an easier solution

@jackk - thanks - i think point 2. will be more useful for me.

 

[lardman363]

If the middle section can be circular, I woould Look up DMU Fitting Tracks in help. You can create several translations and rotations (tracks) using the compass > edit then put them together into one motion.