Constraints for a chain?

[bsamc2000]

I would like to draw a chain with two sprockets and have the chain follow a givin path. Is there a way to do this? I am fairly new to Inventor and it is driving me up a wall. :wacko: My company is looking at upgrading to Inventor 2008 in October but I would like to figure this out now.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

[Aardvark]

Are you trying to animate this? If you just want to constrain it, you can do it but it isn't an easy task. It also has a lot to do with the parts you are trying to constrain. Can you post a zip file of your chain assy so that I can give it shot before I try to explain a workflow to you?

[bsamc2000]

I would like to be able to insert the chain link into an assembly with a couple of sprockets and as the sprocket rotates the chain will follow the desired path. The path may not be a simple tangent to tangent path between the sprockets.

Possible?

I tried to upload the zip file but it was 319kb and the limit is 100kb. If I split the file the manager does not like the file exensions. Is there a better way? For now here is a simple picture.


Thanks,
Brian

[Aardvark]

What do you mean by "the path may not be a simple tangent to tangent path"? You can upload a file here (zip it first) http://mooload.com/new/ then post the link. Making a chain follow a path may not work but I'll give it a shot. You can get it to constrain realistically but it too is tough.

[Aardvark]

Brian,

I tried several ways of getting a chain to follow a path and every time it breaks. Maybe someone else can get it to work but I think you are out of luck.