AReed
Mechanical
- Dec 14, 2011
- 8
Hello,
I am building a power chain (ex. Igus) as a sub assembly for work and I am able to get the links of the chain to fit to a curve in a static form. I can draw from this various configs to get my machine stroke limits in several different positions. What I'd like to be able to do is make the assembly flexible, length of one of the linear sides driven by user input (drag with mouse) while the other linear portion takes up the slack all with a constant bend radius at the fold point.
I have two problems:
1.) I have a circular relationship in the lengths of the linear legs. Currently I know the overall length of the entire power chain and the arc length consumed by the half circle portion of the path. I subtract these to numbers to acquire the "linear length" that is left over. I then dimension the top leg with the formula: Linear - Bottom and dimension the bottom leg: Linear - Top. So I clearly have 2 unknowns and one hell of a circular reference. Basically I am trying to get the two linear portions of the path to consume/use the linear amount the other gives up/receives.
2.) Even if I could get this to work I don't know how to link it to the different levels of the assembly structure this item is going to get tucked into to allow it to be flexible and still driven by the curve.
I know what I want this assembly to do, I just lack the skills/knowledge/clarity to execute it.
Any Ideas on how to execute this type of control, or am I out of my mind?
I am building a power chain (ex. Igus) as a sub assembly for work and I am able to get the links of the chain to fit to a curve in a static form. I can draw from this various configs to get my machine stroke limits in several different positions. What I'd like to be able to do is make the assembly flexible, length of one of the linear sides driven by user input (drag with mouse) while the other linear portion takes up the slack all with a constant bend radius at the fold point.
I have two problems:
1.) I have a circular relationship in the lengths of the linear legs. Currently I know the overall length of the entire power chain and the arc length consumed by the half circle portion of the path. I subtract these to numbers to acquire the "linear length" that is left over. I then dimension the top leg with the formula: Linear - Bottom and dimension the bottom leg: Linear - Top. So I clearly have 2 unknowns and one hell of a circular reference. Basically I am trying to get the two linear portions of the path to consume/use the linear amount the other gives up/receives.
2.) Even if I could get this to work I don't know how to link it to the different levels of the assembly structure this item is going to get tucked into to allow it to be flexible and still driven by the curve.
I know what I want this assembly to do, I just lack the skills/knowledge/clarity to execute it.
Any Ideas on how to execute this type of control, or am I out of my mind?