Energy Chains
Energy Chains
(OP)
NX Community,
Just wondering if anyone has come up with a 'stable' and 'user friendly' way of controlling Energy Chains at the assembly level?
I'm currently developing a process at work, and tried several ways of doing this, but I'm sure there's other ways I haven't thought of.
Based on some key requirements, I've narrowed it down to one process that's pretty 'stable', however not the most 'user friendly'.
Before I implement this way of working I'm interested in seeing what the experts are doing.
P.S. If anyone is interested in how I'm proposing to do it, I would be glad to share.
Thanks in advance,
Sean
Just wondering if anyone has come up with a 'stable' and 'user friendly' way of controlling Energy Chains at the assembly level?
I'm currently developing a process at work, and tried several ways of doing this, but I'm sure there's other ways I haven't thought of.
Based on some key requirements, I've narrowed it down to one process that's pretty 'stable', however not the most 'user friendly'.
Before I implement this way of working I'm interested in seeing what the experts are doing.
P.S. If anyone is interested in how I'm proposing to do it, I would be glad to share.
Thanks in advance,
Sean





RE: Energy Chains
www.nxjournaling.com
RE: Energy Chains
They are often used in mechatronic systems i.e. robotics.
Functionally, they behave like any bicycle chain, but without having a closed configuration.
One end is usually fixed while the other end moves in 1 or 2 axis.
Image attached
RE: Energy Chains
Are you using the "routing" module in NX? I've not used it, but there might be something in there that would help. Perhaps someone with some routing expertise can offer comments.
I did a quick search on this site, here's a thread with a similar problem:
thread561-376791: Flexible chain with NX8.5
Also, here are a few threads about modeling roller chain, which poses a very similar problem:
thread561-309227: Chain model in Teamcenter
thread561-269578: Chain
thread561-256229: Modeling Chain? Curve driven pattern?
www.nxjournaling.com
RE: Energy Chains
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=376791
We call these "cable chains" in local language, i always thought that it was the international name.
I think that i have Didiers assembly somewhere.
I can probably upload it.
Regards,
Tomas
RE: Energy Chains
I am pretty sure Didier don't mind that I share these. (Didier ?)
Regards,
Tomas
RE: Energy Chains
Need I say more ?
RE: Energy Chains
Can you share those several ways.
Are all in Assembly constraints or also
In mechanism and mechanical routing.
Thanks in advance.
RE: Energy Chains
The first one was drawing a sketch with the path of the chain, unite the curves of the sketch, insert links as components and restrict the components to the united curve. It did work well for slight path modifications but if the modifications were big the assembly restrictions didn't find a solution (the first end of the chain was static but the second end rotated around an axis) finally I amended the assembly by creating two arrangements with links components restricted to two different paths; initial and final position, as I didn't care about intermediate positions, just needed to know if the chain collide in the extreme positions.
The second one was using the NX11 limit assembly restrictions which allow you to define a range of distances or angles between to parts. I defined the angle range one link could stay from the previous link, then I moved the second end of the chain and the links moved with it. This method allow me to see the chain not only in extreme positions but also in intermediate positions beside I didn't need to create arrangements, just move second end link which is an easier method. It worked fine sometimes but other the links were to strange positions, maybe because this is a new NX11 feature.
I can't say if these two methods are good or not. I have to learn more about them and maybe about other methods. Just sharing my experience.
RE: Energy Chains
In assembly restrictions Did you mean Assembly constraints.
why you should unite the sketch ?
Are you mean constraint the links components
to the sketch curves.
RE: Energy Chains