If you are confident of the axial & transverse stiffness of the rigid chain actuator (i.e. from test data), then I would likely follow the same approach that you have shown in your restraints.

@ justkeepgiviner - Thanks a lot for the help

Actually the thing is I am not sure about the normal (axial) and shear (transverse) stiffness values that I have to put when defining elastic support.
Any ideas on how to find them the right way?

I calculated using this formula: k=AE/L and I get 343 200 000 (N/m)/m^2
I'm not sure if it is correct but I assume it to be.
For transverse stiffness I still haven't put any value.

Here are two more pictures. Mine scissor lift looks like the one on the picture.
And the second picture is the rigid chain actuator itself.

Basically, what troubles me is how to define the restrains in the correct way.

Anyways, thanks again.

Cheers

• http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=a7a799fb-54f9-4eb9-807f-1a

First picture (scissor lift)

• http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=4df85493-6f70-4048-9524-fb

I suppose you could model the chain as a series of beams with appropriate gap elements.

A kinematics solver would make easy work of it.

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Thanks for the advice. Everything is clear now.