SD,
I noticed that the TBWoods links that I posted on the previous thread is no longer working...please try http://www.tbwoods.com/Support.asp and go to CAD drawings..
I had the same problem and I decided to workaround based on a previous post http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/thread.jspa?messageID=5234067, so I created some entries on the XML files which controls DAcc. Actually I add several files that maks DAcc work with 5M, 8M, 14M and 20 M pulleys and belts sizes in some limited functionality such as Layout and design.
The calculations will not work, you have to do it in the old fashioned way, paper, pencil, calculator or excel. I could not figure out all parameters necessary to perform the calculations.
I used this trick combined with iParts and iAssemblies of bushings and pulleys to speed up a new machine design tat had a huge amount of pulleys and belts, guess what, all from pitches 5M, 8M and 14M. The results were satisfatory and also gave a nice BOM of all belt drives and its components.
Here are some tricks an tips:
- Not all combinations belt/pulley were tested always double check. If you have some feedback on the DAcc workaround please let me know.
- I always left some extra slack (belt length) just in case.
- I used the Virtual pulley placement in order to use iParts/iAssemblies of pulleys and QD/TL bushings and get a very nice/detailed assembly. If you use the Component placement for pulleys, it will show trapezoidal teeth on the generated models.
- If you are using Inventor 2009, do not choose to represent the belt as Detailed, it will fail, choose Solid or Sketch.
Attached is a zip file that contains the files added to the existing DAcc structure and some sample images, and a Bushing and Pulley iparts as well. Please use this at your own risk and always check for dimensional issues just in case.
You should make a back up copy of your DAcc files pior to place these files (SBelts Folder on Zip File) under your default installation for the DAcc.. \Design Accelerator\Tables\ . You will notice that the subfolders of the zip file match the existing structure of DAcc.
I hope this help you out...
Happy Holidays
Anderson