topic Re: animating a chain in Inventor Forum

animating a chain

Anonymous — Tue, 25 May 2021 21:32:25 GMT

Hi all!

I want to create and animate a chain.

The first step is to create path and constrain one link to the path.

I created pattern with two work points with variable distance between them and attached the link to the path

When animating the distance variable will increase and the link will be moved.

I have set 3 constrains for the link

=link + XY plane

=center point of the link + to the second work point of the pattern

=transitional constrain to the extruded surface of the path loop

When I run it in the studio I get the following error

In the topic https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/chain-link-animation-issues/m-p/10338614

The problem was solved by making the path adaptive.

In this case it didn’t help.

Here is the screencast https://autode.sk/3uc21eo

Thanks!

Re: animating a chain

johnsonshiue — Wed, 26 May 2021 01:20:13 GMT

Hi Anton,

This case can be done in multiple ways. Based on your assembly, I added an adaptive sketch point. Then redefine Workpoint1 to be based off the sketch point. Then add a Mate constraint, DriveMe between the Workpoint1 and the YZ plane of the assembly. Simply animate the DriveMe constraint will make the chains move.

The idea is just to have a constraint to drive geometry (sketch point and the workpoint), also the component pattern.

In your case, you only have the female chain links. You don't need to use pattern of pattern. The reason why other cases need pattern of pattern is because there are female and male chain links.

Please take a look and see if you have additional questions.

Many thanks!

Re: animating a chain

gcoombridge — Wed, 26 May 2021 10:31:39 GMT

Have a look at the chain assembly here: http://www.cbliss.com/inventor/Parts/Hardware/index.htm

This site has been around forever but the chain is very cleverly pug together..

Re: animating a chain

Anonymous — Wed, 26 May 2021 11:49:04 GMT

@gcoombridge , thanks for your reply!
++++++++++++++=

@johnsonshiue thank you.

There are 2 issues

1)When I run your project, I get the following:

The result I desire is in the file of the above mentioned post.
I have attached it to this post.

I don't understand why my project doesn't work and the project from the above mentioned post works.

They look alike.

The idea is to allow driveMe variable to increase endlessly, which allows to move chain along the path endlessly

Thanks.

animating a chain

Anonymous — Thu, 27 May 2021 11:18:19 GMT

Hi @JDMather

Could you please help me with this?

+++++++

This is a solved thread.

You should start a new thread with a link back to this one for reference.

+++++++

Done.

Thank you!

Re: animating a chain

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 12:26:44 GMT

The solution is simple.
When I used manually created path it didn't work,

when I use the path made with design accelerator it works.

@JDMather ,

could you please explain this behavior ?

Thanks!

Re: animating a chain

3D4Play — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 06:14:43 GMT

Fireworks and fanfare every time someone references to the OG Charlie Bliss site. I wonder how big his kittens are, and if he ever found that magneto switch. One of these days, I'll go to his site, and get a 404, Shudder at the thought. LOL!

Re: animating a chain

j.palmeL29YX — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 10:42:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

I want to create and animate a chain.

The answer depends on what you want to achieve and what the animation will be used for.

As an example, using the Dynamic Simulation you can get animations that looks very realistic (see attachments).

Or following >>this tutorial<< you get an animation in Inventor Studio.

What is your goal?

Re: animating a chain

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 11:22:01 GMT

@j.palmeL29YX hi

I have almost solved my issue,

but I would be happy to learn another new approach.

I have seen the tutorial you have had provided me with.

Do you have tutorials for chains in videos?

Thanks!

Re: animating a chain

j.palmeL29YX — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 11:50:39 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

@j.palmeL29YX hi

Do you have tutorials for chains in videos?

You will find a lot in the web, e.g. at youtube you can search for inventor+animate+chain or similar keywords. You will find any good suggestions.

Re: animating a chain

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 12:09:48 GMT

Yes, I have seen lots of them.

Some of them good, some not.

I am asking for tutorials for these specific videos.

According to your reply you don't have them))
Right))