topic Re: How to make a custom chain? in Inventor Forum

How to make a custom chain?

260717G4TH5 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:42:22 GMT

I've been trying to model a chain for my vex robot for years now, and every time I've just left it out. Is there a way to either add a chain link to the roller chain list, or to add relative rotation to allow me to model them with an associative pattern.

I've tried using an associative pattern (it's a circle just as a proof of concept) but they all maintain the same rotation, is there any way to do some kind of relative rotation with a pattern in an assembly?

Re: How to make a custom chain?

kacper.suchomski — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:45:53 GMT

The direction of the associative pattern follows the source pattern.

Did you give direction to the elements in the base pattern, or did you allow them to maintain a fixed orientation?

Re: How to make a custom chain?

260717G4TH5 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:50:52 GMT

I just used the insert constraint to attach the chain lick to the base element of that pattern. You’re saying that if I used a a second constraint to a sequential element in the pattern it would maintain a relative orientation?

Re: How to make a custom chain?

kacper.suchomski — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:06:14 GMT

@260717G4TH5 wrote:

I just used the insert constraint to attach the chain lick to the base element of that pattern. You’re saying that if I used a a second constraint to a sequential element in the pattern it would maintain a relative orientation?

I didn't mention anything about constraints.

I asked if you had defined the direction of the base pattern elements.

Re: How to make a custom chain?

260717G4TH5 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:00:20 GMT

I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean about instructions, sorry. Could you please elaborate?

Re: How to make a custom chain?

kacper.suchomski — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:05:42 GMT

@260717G4TH5 wrote:

I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean about instructions, sorry. Could you please elaborate?

How did you create the cell pattern?

Re: How to make a custom chain?

260717G4TH5 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:11:55 GMT

I made the pattern by making a rectangular pattern of a small cylinder made from an extrusion of a circle, along the length of a circle, all in the part level. Then in an assembly, i brought in my chain link and constrained it with an insert on to one of the cylinders in the pattern. Finally, i used an associative pattern on the rectangular pattern and inserted chain link to creat the above chain.

Re: How to make a custom chain?

kacper.suchomski — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:17:16 GMT

@260717G4TH5 wrote:

I made the pattern by making a rectangular pattern of a small cylinder made from an extrusion of a circle, along the length of a circle, all in the part level.

Did you define the orientation of the pattern elements according to the direction, or did you keep the orientation of the elements in the pattern constant?

Re: How to make a custom chain?

260717G4TH5 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:20:59 GMT

I did not define orientation, this may sound stupid, but how do I define orientation?

Re: How to make a custom chain?

kacper.suchomski — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:26:17 GMT

@260717G4TH5 wrote:

how do I define orientation?

In the pattern dialog box there is an item called Direction.

Re: How to make a custom chain?

260717G4TH5 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:05:59 GMT

They only options i see are feature and pattern selection.

Re: How to make a custom chain?

kacper.suchomski — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:10:11 GMT

@260717G4TH5 wrote:

They only options i see are feature and pattern selection.

No one knows what you see until you show it.

Re: How to make a custom chain?

260717G4TH5 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:11:58 GMT

Sorry I’m not at my of rn, I’ll get back to you when I am

Re: How to make a custom chain?

260717G4TH5 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:05:51 GMT

The orientation dialog box is at the bottom of the rectangular pattern, it does what you need it to.