Has anybody done a chain in Solidworks?

Has anybody done a chain in Solidworks?

For example: make one drive sprocket and idler sprocket and the
driven sprocket. make the chain and create the mates between the links (yes
it took a long time).

I can create the sprockets from Toolbox , create the path of the chain ,
then create a surface that the chain will be tangent to , then start
creating tangent
mates I can get only 4 mates done when the assembly becomes over defined.
(I mate a tangent mate between the link roller and the surface path)


Can anybody shed some light on this .... please

 

The tangent mate is sometimes a bit quirky, tough to solve. Why don't
you just use a sketch for the path of the centerlines of the rollers and
mate the center points to the sketch. Much simpler for SW to solve.

 

Hi JF

I model chains as a part. Sketch the centre line, model a link then use
a curve pattern to attach to centre line, you have to make the length
of the centre line divisable by the pitch obviously. I have examples if
you like.

steve

 

Keep in mind that a lot of the time a full complete chain is not necessary
and unnecessarily taxes the system. If you can accept it, put a sketch
around the sprockets and then sweep the chain profile. That way it looks
like it's going real fast!! Seriously, though, it shows a representation of
the envelope that the chain occupies in its travels around the sprockets.

WT

 

I would like to have one... once had some time to play with chains, but
tried the assembly approach...

arto (dot) kvick (at) gmail (dot) com works OK...

 

Great idea Wayne!

I made each chain part, then a sub-assembly, then I made it flexible, then a
main assembly.
It took forever to re-build, and when I moved it, the parts flew all over
the place!, lol

Your idea seems a lot easier.