modeling a "belt"': flat strip with tab and slot features...

[pdkoren]

I need to design/a "belt" of sorts; basically a thin flat strip with a tab and slot on either ends that will be assembled around a cylinder with the tab pulled thru the slot, with an obvious overlap. I can model the flat version and then an installed version with separate features and then usea family table to turn features on and off as needed BUT, I am wondering if there isn't a more elegant way to accomplish this... Maybe I could modela flatsketch of the shape, thenwrap that around a cylinder and then use both sketches tocreate theinstances, but how do you handle the overlap? Any thoughts, comments or recommendations will be welcomed...

thanks in advance...

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[gdt]

In the old days there was a "boundry" curve inwhich it was a unifying cuve after you had sketched the original segments it would COPY all of the segments and make it one curve. I would make the over lap condition in the original sketches make this bounding curve trim it to points on the original curve and then you can manipulate the distance of the ends. Or the shape of the orignial curves by their angled or controlling dimensions.

[mjenkins]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO8vaadx1bU&feature=g-all-fbc&context=G2a63b10FAAAAAHgABAA

In Reply to Paul Korenkiewicz:

I need to design/a "belt" of sorts; basically a thin flat strip with a tab and slot on either ends that will be assembled around a cylinder with the tab pulled thru the slot, with an obvious overlap. I can model the flat version and then an installed version with separate features and then usea family table to turn features on and off as needed BUT, I am wondering if there isn't a more elegant way to accomplish this... Maybe I could modela flatsketch of the shape, thenwrap that around a cylinder and then use both sketches tocreate theinstances, but how do you handle the overlap? Any thoughts, comments or recommendations will be welcomed...

thanks in advance...

[gdt]

I did something very similarwith a v-belt application a while ago

[TimMcLellan]

Mike,



I am not sure if these fit your situation but we have made available two
UDFs for both commercial and educational version of Pro/E (WF5+) of roller
chain and welded chains. They were developed to support FIRST and do not
include mechanized joints. However, both examples contain a ton of
engineering information based on the standards for each.



The examples may give you some additional ideas or information. Watch the
supplied videos (full screen) or look over the instructions for each. In
the video we illustrate (about the 3 minute mark) real time modifications
and the dynamic engineering feedback/data.

[swschultz]

Paul,



I obviously don't know all of the details of your requirement, but
sometimes I've been able to model such things in their formed state as a
sheet metal part, and then create a flat pattern to unwrap the part. This of
course allows for the creation of an instance to place both configurations
of the part on a drawing.



Best Regards,



Scott Schultz

Principal Consultant

3D Relief Inc.

3700 Willow Creek Drive

Raleigh, NC 27604

(919)259-0610

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