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Tracing a path

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AeroNucDef

Aerospace
May 29, 2009
135
Hi all,

Need some help please.

How do I trace a path?

Here's the problem; I have a door on a pivot/davit hinge that has a tracking arm attached to it, which follows a path, but unfortunately I not sure how to trace out/model the path. I've done the tracking arm, but the path is being quite tough to do.

I've tried putting the assembly onto a drawing and using 'alternate view' to superimpose the movement of the of the door/tracking arm, but I can't get it to work.

Is there any other way of tracing out this path while in a assembly?

My boss is going mad because I'm having problems trying to do it. I've only been on it a couple of hours!

Any help would be brilliant.
 
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You could tell your boss that if it were easy HE could do it. (But that might not cool him down any.)

Your description leaves a lot of room for interpretation. Any chance you could post your files? You'll likely get a good and fast result.

- - -Updraft
 
Hi Upfraft,

My boss thinks there is a magic button that I can press to solve these types of problems!

I can't post the files, if my boss where to find out I would be fired.

I'll upload a rough sketch when I get home.
 
You can try this:
Assuming your mechanism is properly mated to move the way it should you can control the motion in several ways, such as an angle mate. Set this angle value for the door in one extreme position (closed perhaps). In this assembly create a sketch in the plane of the path you want to capture. In this sketch put a point on the path, such as the tip of the arm. While in this sketch change the constraint on this point by deleting the "coincident" mate or whatever ties it to the geometry of the arm and replace it with "fix". This will make the point accurately placed by the temporary reference to the outside geometry, but independent of it. Now exit the sketch, increment the angle of the mate, and then go back into the sketch and add another point as before. This will create a series of points that should define the path. You can finish the sketch with a spline if that is the most appropriate element.

With the sketch visible you can then suppress the angle mate and move the door freely. The tip of the arm should move along the spline.

- - -Updraft
 
Thanks Updraft,

That sounds like a good way, I'll give it a go and see what happens.

 
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