×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Pro-E Slinky Model with motion

Pro-E Slinky Model with motion

Pro-E Slinky Model with motion

(OP)
Has anyone ever come across or created a model of a slinky that can be moved in a motion analysis?

RE: Pro-E Slinky Model with motion

I don't think this can be done, since it would require the model to deform. Motion analysis only deals with solid bodies for kinematic/kinetic analysis, so your slinky model would not be able to 'slink'.

The physics behind a slinky are wonderfully complex. There is constant interaction between gravitational potential energy, forward kinetic energy and stored spring energy. But don't tell that to your kids because it might take away from the fun of the toy! (actually to me it makes it that much more fun :) )

RE: Pro-E Slinky Model with motion

There may be a way to simulate it with mechanism dynamics. You may be able to drive flexible dimensions with the spring components. Don't know if this would work, but it might be worth a try.  The only time I've seen something like a slinky simulated is with an FEA package with an explicit solver.

Dave Hyman
Mechanical Engineer

RE: Pro-E Slinky Model with motion

Why do you want to do this?
Do you have a specific engineering application which requires similar behaviour, or are you bored with your current job?

RE: Pro-E Slinky Model with motion

(OP)
I actually need the motion for a flexible duct analysis, so I just threw the question out without going to much into it. The duct would move as a slinky or spring where  one side is in compression and the other side in tension.

RE: Pro-E Slinky Model with motion

Ah, I see now.

This can certainly be modeled in Pro/E (helix along a curve method) as you have likely already done. But part flexibility "breaks the rules" of motion analysis in Pro/E.

Depending on what you are trying to get out of the analysis, you may be able to use BMX to perform a sensitivity study, provided that the trajectory curve is modeled such that you can emulate it's motion by changing a few dimensions.

Alternatively (this is mostly if you want to make a video), you can set a relation (i.e. X=X+1) to have the duct "move" with each regeneration, then snap off a JPEG. Mapkeying this really helps.

Good luck!

RE: Pro-E Slinky Model with motion

You can try and simulate this with mechanisms using multiple parts like a chain and joints with rotational limits

RE: Pro-E Slinky Model with motion

(OP)
Thanks for the advice!
I'll try them all and let you all know if they work out.

Thanks again!

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources