Autodesk Inventor

[#1 · Accepted solution]

Here's my approach.

I've made changes to spindle and ball screw, and made an array of the balls.

In the end I tried to turn the spindle and move it through the ball screw, but no luck. I suspect, that this is another sample of Inventor's unsatisfying constraint capabilities.

Remark: I know, that normally the balls are moving, too, but I neglected that, because of simplification. And I know, that normally the spindle is axially fixed and just rotating, and the ball screw does the axial movement. I'm in doubt, if this version would be running better.

EOP of parts needs to be moved down. Files are Rel. 2012

Walter

[#2]

It is really a clever approach. By usin this method, I have to manually change the quantity of ball in BOM.

Thank you very much

[#3]

You can do the array as separate bodies as well, Lis.

But unless you're in ball screw manufacturing, you're ordering complete elements. It doesn't matter, how many balls are inside.

Walter

[#4]

Pattern Component will give multiple instances of one ball.  (rather than having multiple balls in one part file)

I have assigned this problem to my class.
I will post my solution once they have attempted the solution.

oops, I keep forgetting you are on 2012 - well I'll post a screen shot when they get done.

[#5]

Thanks JD. I will try your approach as well.

[#6]

Did you try the solution with your class meanwhile, Jeffrey?

[#7]

Ah yes, we came up with a good solution, but I forgot about this thread.  I will try to remember to attach the solution tomorrow.  (what is left of a hurricane is sitting right over the top of my head today)

[#8]

My best wishes for not too much damage by the storm.

Good to see, that you still have access to electricity.

[#9]

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wh wrote:

Good to see, that you still have access to electricity.

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My wife is peddling the bicycle generator as fast as she can.
The wind has died down here, just some left-over rain. 

We didn't experience any damage on our property, but I haven't ventured down the road yet to check the neighborhood.