Twin Disc Motion
Twin Disc Motion
(OP)
Hello All,
I am trying to model twin discs in contact and simulate rotation (just like two gears). I have attached a picture showing the top disc, shaft and handle. I have managed to mate the top parts so when I turn the handle the top disc rotates (I used a gear mate to do this). I can't seem to get the bottom disc to rotate in contact with the top disc. Any help would be much appreciated.
I am using Solidworks 2005 SP0.
Thanks
OptiEng
I am trying to model twin discs in contact and simulate rotation (just like two gears). I have attached a picture showing the top disc, shaft and handle. I have managed to mate the top parts so when I turn the handle the top disc rotates (I used a gear mate to do this). I can't seem to get the bottom disc to rotate in contact with the top disc. Any help would be much appreciated.
I am using Solidworks 2005 SP0.
Thanks
OptiEng






RE: Twin Disc Motion
Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Twin Disc Motion
OptiEng
RE: Twin Disc Motion
RE: Twin Disc Motion
Mate them using common planes such as Top & Top, Right & Right or whatever is convenient.
As re the 2 Discs, first make sure that the individual parts are free to rotate about their own axis.....assuming you have an Axis feature for both Discs; and if not, add them. Also, check that the first part you've inserted is not Fixed. If it is, right click the part , then click on Float.
Mate the Axis of Disc 1 (upper) to both Top and Right Planes (for instance)using Coincident. Check for free rotation by dragging some point on the Handle around the Axis.
Mate the Axis of Disc 2 (lower) to be Parallel with the Top Plane and Coincident with the Right Plane.
Cannot see what Feature was used for the Distance mate, but it should be between these Axis as well.
Now use Gear Mate to mate the Axis of Disc 1 to the Axis of Disc 2.
Set the Ratio for 1:1 You can click on Reverse if the direction is not what you want.
RE: Twin Disc Motion
Just for future reference I have a question for WILLIEDAWG
QUOTE:
"Mate them using common planes such as Top & Top, Right & Right or whatever is convenient."
What do you mean by this? How do you mate using planes? Also I created an axis for for both discs by Insert - Reference Geometry - Axis, but could not select this in the mate feature.
Thanks everyone
OptiEng
RE: Twin Disc Motion
"Mate them using common planes such as Top & Top, Right & Right or whatever is convenient."
This only applies to the Upper Disc & Handle (Crank) in your example, so that they rotate as one.
The Axis that were inserted need to be in each individual Part model...not inserted at the Assembly level.
When you're ready to mate Axis in the Assembly, select View and click on Axis; then they can be selected. You can also do this from the Feature Tree; both cases assuming that Axis were inserted beforehand as mentioned above.
I recreated your model and found that Mating the Faces of the Cylinders using GearMate actually works as you've said, however, SW doesn't mention this in the Help.
The method they explain is to use Axis; and would be the way to Mate mitre gears, as well as any other co-dependent Parts in an Assembly......don't think Faces would get you there in all cases. Read the Help on GearMate.
Another aspect that enters into GearMate(s) is the initial alignment of the Mated parts. If it is important to have other features (holes, Extruded "pins", etc) aligned in the Assembly, do that first to each part, then Suppress those Mates and,without moving anything, apply the GearMate.
That way, parts stay in-sync for the Assembly and any other related parts. If the initial Mates are Un-Suppressed, you'll get errors. You must Suppress the GearMate if you're turning the initial Mates back on.