positioning cleats on conveyor or chains

[spsid13]

Hi all,

Most of us have seen slat chain conveyors or chains with attachments(K1,K2). 

Is there a way i can maintain the pitch between the slats or attachments and assemble them in the closed loop formed by the chain or conveyor?

One possible way is to pattern in straight line and again separate pattern around the roller or sprocket and again separate pattern for the return path. To modify it again and again it becomes cumbersome.

Is there a simpler way to achieve this? wither with Ilogic or Icopy? Can someone guide me on this issue? 

Thanks,

Sid

[Mario428]

This is how we do it

We do not make the cleats a separate part though, we just show them for drawing purposes.

Convert your chain to a sheet metal part, split it, flatten it, add your cleats in the pattern required.

Rebend the chain and the cleats will follow, there will be distortion at the curves but the chain will look as you want it to look.

If you have to have add the cleats as a separate part I cannot help, never tried to do that

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

This has been covered here many times in the past.

A search on curve driven pattern might turn up previous discussions.

You can do this in one part or as an assembly.

For fastest solution - attach your part or assembly here.

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-general-discussion/curve-driven-pattern-in-assembly/m-p/48613...

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/forums/searchpage/tab/message?filter=labels%2Clocation&location=forum-...

[spsid13]

Thanks JD. I had seen these links before but did not notice on how to get the orientation right until. Now i have seen it. Thanks again for your help.

[JDMather]

I guess you found the trick - expand the dialog box and set Direction 1 (and maybe 2).

You are now ready to tackle the Certified Professional exam.

https://autodesk.starttest.com/