translation constraint for irregular shape

[Thegreatrandino]

how to I make the cylinder an irregular path?  In the attached, I want the cylinder to move within the grove, or path of the cam.  When I use the Translation constraint, I asks for faces, One for the moving and one for the translating. I choose the outside surface of the cylinder but I can only choose one face of the grove. The grove is made up several faces.  If I create multiple translation constraints (which seems like a bad idea) I can only create a few constraints before the unstrained move stop working.

How do I do this? Am I on the wrong path?

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

Open the Attached assembly.

Go to Environments>Dynamic Simulation.

Drag the Cylinder (not too fast or you will overrun the contact calculations).

Define Gravity if appropriate.

[Thegreatrandino]

Perfect!  

How did you get the translation joint to work, or did you go straight to Dynamic Sim?

[JDMather]

Straight to Dynamic Simulation.

The 2D Contact Joint is more robust than Transistional Constraint.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Actually, the groove may require Solid Sweep to make it precise. Let me play around with it and see if it works better.

Many thanks!

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! For this case, I think you do need to use Solid Sweep. The geometry is a lot smoother than other means. I took the liberty to modify the path. Also, I use offset surface as transitional faces to limit scope. You can see the follower moves around the cam smoothly.

Many thanks!

[Thegreatrandino]

Thanks.  That does work smooth. How did you do the solid sweep? I didn't  see the solid you used.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! It is there. Open Layout.ipt in the file I attached. Go to Solid Bodies folder and make "Follower2" solid visible. The Sweep created another solid body. Then I use it as a toolbody to cut. You don't need to Combine -> Cut. You can create a Solid Sweep Cut directly.

Many thanks!