Feature Script way to generate a curve pattern with linear instance spacing?

imants_smidchens

Hi! I'm working on a chain generator feature script, (also belt) which takes sprocket location inputs, the chain pitch, and teeth at each sprocket, (plus the chain wrap orientation) and generates an accurate model of a chain/belt. (https://cad.onshape.com/documents/1be886df2e36b431c92b2d61/w/791200d47653055fd5d51eb7/e/17a1b8e5fd0b4440efc1c3de?configuration=pitch%3D0.008%2Bmeter%3Bteeth%3D10.0)

I am struggling to space the chain link instances evenly in such a way that the linear distance remains constant, not the distance along a curve path (i.e. not the curve pattern) 
Any suggestions on how to achieve this? i essentially need to segment a curve into a bunch of linear approximations.

Thanks in advance!

-Imants Smidchens
(some screenshots of work in progress)

konstantin_shiriazdanov

You don't need the fs itself, the feature studio just contains chordSolver() function which you could use for searching chord end point path parameter. But if the method with arc intersection is OK for your purposes then you probably don't need it. Though if you were trying to distribute N points along path with even arc lengths you would unevitably face the need to numerically solve the system of N equations.

konstantin_shiriazdanov

Basically the problem is getting the coordinate of the end of the chord of a given length on a given path, starting from a given point.

There may be two basic approaches: create a function which draws a circular arc in some angle sector in sketch coordinate system which xAxis is a path tangent line and zAxis is a path plane normal and evaluate a distance from this arc to the path. If you are lucky the arc will have one and only intersection with the path curve and you get your chord end point coordinate.

The second approach is using some numeric solver which would take a pure function chordDiff(s) = chord(s) - chordTargetLength and solve the equation chordDiff(s)==0.

I have a simple chord method solver here: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/541e220968e7559244e1a87e/w/87ca942a0f3a5283a41a93ad/e/4643922267c1de246ffb329b

imants_smidchens

thanks! I can't say for sure that I understand what's going on in your FS, but I'll take a closer look at it

For the time being I'm using a bunch of arcs and evdistance to find the intersections. Next up on my plate is creating accurate sag to account for differences in length between the path and the replicated instances (the last point is always too close to the start)

konstantin_shiriazdanov

You don't need the fs itself, the feature studio just contains chordSolver() function which you could use for searching chord end point path parameter. But if the method with arc intersection is OK for your purposes then you probably don't need it. Though if you were trying to distribute N points along path with even arc lengths you would unevitably face the need to numerically solve the system of N equations.