13 Days left - Inventor Puzzler Challenge - September 2003

[Anonymous]

Try your hand at this month's little puzzler, not your usual everyday
modeling task . .

Current standings are:

#1 - sstrik - 2 hours (Linked spreadsheet driving geometry and assembly
constraints).

This month's puzzle:

A 21" long flexible shaft, coupled at each end 1/2" deep into (2)
Transtorque collars, drives a verticle spindle from a horizontal drive. The
x and y distance between the vertical and horizontal attachment points is 8
and 12, respectively. Assume that the shape the remaining free shaft takes
is 3 successive arcs of equal radii; gravity is neglected (see attached).
The vertical attachment point cycles up and down by 3" of stroke. Using
Inventor, show and calculate the shape of the shaft in each position.
Describe your method and keep track of your time. Fastest unique method
wins. Post your results in IVCF. See attached jpg.