3d contacts and curves

[MichaelPiotto]

I'm trying to create 3d contacts with curves, created with the spline tool in sketch/extrude. Is there other ways to create curves that work with 3d contacts? I'm using Creo 7.0, so would that be available in newer versions? is there a different way to get the same properties of the 3d contact tool? 

Any help is appreciated. 

[tbraxton]

Short answer is no.

Valid 3D contact references are as follows:

spherical, cylindrical, or planar surface, or a vertex.

It may be possible to create a valid construction reference driven by a curve that would work but you would have to provide details of exactly what you need to do.

See reference info here current for Creo 9:

https://support.ptc.com/help/creo/creo_pma/r9.0/usascii/index.html#page/simulate/mech_des/about_3d_contact.html# 

[MichaelPiotto]

I'm creating a sliding latch mechanism, you slide it forward and back and it locks in place; forward again and it comes unlatched.
It requires curves to minimise friction, and I need to use 3d contacts to get close to a final product that would work with my manufacturing materials in real life. I can do it without curves, but it would entail using a lot of ellipses and circles, which will not have the same ease of adjustment nor will it be an efficient system.  

edit: oops, can't even use ellipses, I guess I'm going to be learning fusion360  

the PNG below is the general/crude idea of the mechanism. 

[tbraxton · Accepted solution]

You should look at the other mechanism connection types. i.e. cam/follower or slot. Friction is supported by these other connection types. 

For 2D kinematic analysis/synthesis there are other specialized tools that will support a faster development cycle of the geometry.

[MichaelPiotto]

tried cam/follower or slot, i don't get the needed capabilities. "other specialized tools" do you have any recommendation, in todays age usually the kinematic software is built into the cad programs.  

[tbraxton]

This is one option but certainly not the only one.

https://asom.eu/en/products/asom-v7/ 

[MichaelPiotto]

thank you for your help. 

[TomU]

Another option:

https://psmotion.com/