Curve pattern between parts from two points

lawrence_tang288

Hello, this is my first time asking for help even though I always felt reluctant I have become increasingly desperate to cut the monotony of a process.
I am a high schooler working on a project involving chain links that follow curves and I would like to know a faster way to pattern a link with two points around several curves.

The orange part is one of the links from the chain that I would like to follow for the selected curves/lines

I have used the curve tool with the selected curves/lines but leaves gaps.

This is a different example of my finished chain link on another model and wonder what other features I could use to decrease my time in modeling the chain instead of using a bunch of transformations and finding the angle value for every curve/line from the projected pathway.

Here is the public link from a copy of my project:https://cad.onshape.com/documents/d658d9dd57a43225b1a33219/w/9e87a7dea3cc190ef830981f/e/e6081ecc8b508aae763346b8?renderMode=0&uiState=6688af6e2a0ea65e6c085f22

shawn_crocker

I haven't used this feature too much but I think this would work wonders for what you are trying to accomplish.

https://trebormanufacturing.onshape.com/documents/1be886df2e36b431c92b2d61/v/ebfa7a8856ed2a6be3a62596/e/dbfe2637c98be2d89db5d08e

I do agree with @robert_scott_jr_ about using an assembly being probably more real because the parts or being instanced rather then being copied inside of the parts studio by the pattern.  But, if your main goal is to create a chain that is not going to need to move or anything in an animation I would for sure do as you are doing and convert the finished chain parts into a closed composite just to tidy up the parts studio.

Edit:
I guess that link should actually be https://cad.onshape.com/documents/1be886df2e36b431c92b2d61/v/ebfa7a8856ed2a6be3a62596/e/dbfe2637c98be2d89db5d08e

robert_scott_jr_

Hello Lawrence. Check out this: https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/comment/27510/#Comment_27510 discussion. - Scotty

lawrence_tang288

robert_scott_jr_ said:

Hello Lawrence. Check out this: https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/comment/27510/#Comment_27510 discussion. - Scotty

Hi, I checked out the forum and tried to emulate the chain link assemblies provided. Is there a more simplified example or tutorial for me to create something like that?
The example I copied: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/7cc175f8d6e311a7ff97a6fc/w/dee11f53c0929ee1920b606f/e/ee1a59799b40bf4f3e0c4844
Thanks!

robert_scott_jr_

Lawrence, you may be missing out on the use of Assemblies. In your part studios you have ALOT of individual parts. The 'chain links' you visually have are not links but individual parts positioned together. I do believe you did way too much work to get what you have (kudos for you on that) but it cannot be used practically. What you do have is what appears to be an assembly in a parts studio.

For example, a chain link pair (2 outer plates, an inner piece and 2 pins) would be assembled in an assembly. That assembly could be imported multiple times into a new assembly to create a chain. Also, rather than creating a link, other members have already created bicycle chain links. You could import it or them into your document if you do intend on using a chain such as used on a bicycle.

Looks like quite a machine. What's it for?

- Scotty

lawrence_tang288

robert_scott_jr_ said:

Lawrence, you may be missing out on the use of Assemblies. In your part studios you have ALOT of individual parts. The 'chain links' you visually have are not links but individual parts positioned together. I do believe you did way too much work to get what you have (kudos for you on that) but it cannot be used practically. What you do have is what appears to be an assembly in a parts studio.

For example, a chain link pair (2 outer plates, an inner piece and 2 pins) would be assembled in an assembly. That assembly could be imported multiple times into a new assembly to create a chain. Also, rather than creating a link, other members have already created bicycle chain links. You could import it or them into your document if you do intend on using a chain such as used on a bicycle.

Looks like quite a machine. What's it for?

- Scotty

Hey Scotty, I do notice myself doing a lot more on part studios and plan on utilizing assemblies more often for organization as my former teacher lightly introduced me to Onshape three years ago (majorly self-taught) and it's one of my least strong suits when it comes to designing stuff. When I do have the motivation and find the time I'll see if I can do more research into assemblies and if I do find that the example works I will eventually flag it solved.

This is part of my reverse-engineered mechanical hand to learn more about engineering inspired by Ian Davis and have been putting in the work on and off for several years now as a "hobby".

The 'chain links' are a simple design at best since one of my goals is to fabricate it all out using my 3D printer except for some external parts like springs, I have in mind that it may all be redundant to do so but I consider this to be a fun learning experience. This process could be faster if I had access to something like a mechanics/physical simulation for me to test out instead of 3D printing a lot of parts for me to physically test.

Thanks for your further input!

shawn_crocker

I haven't used this feature too much but I think this would work wonders for what you are trying to accomplish.

https://trebormanufacturing.onshape.com/documents/1be886df2e36b431c92b2d61/v/ebfa7a8856ed2a6be3a62596/e/dbfe2637c98be2d89db5d08e

I do agree with @robert_scott_jr_ about using an assembly being probably more real because the parts or being instanced rather then being copied inside of the parts studio by the pattern.  But, if your main goal is to create a chain that is not going to need to move or anything in an animation I would for sure do as you are doing and convert the finished chain parts into a closed composite just to tidy up the parts studio.

Edit:
I guess that link should actually be https://cad.onshape.com/documents/1be886df2e36b431c92b2d61/v/ebfa7a8856ed2a6be3a62596/e/dbfe2637c98be2d89db5d08e

lawrence_tang288

shawn_crocker said:

I haven't used this feature too much but I think this would work wonders for what you are trying to accomplish.

https://trebormanufacturing.onshape.com/documents/1be886df2e36b431c92b2d61/v/ebfa7a8856ed2a6be3a62596/e/dbfe2637c98be2d89db5d08e

I do agree with @robert_scott_jr_ about using an assembly being probably more real because the parts or being instanced rather then being copied inside of the parts studio by the pattern.  But, if your main goal is to create a chain that is not going to need to move or anything in an animation I would for sure do as you are doing and convert the finished chain parts into a closed composite just to tidy up the parts studio.

Edit:
I guess that link should actually be https://cad.onshape.com/documents/1be886df2e36b431c92b2d61/v/ebfa7a8856ed2a6be3a62596/e/dbfe2637c98be2d89db5d08e

Looks something like it, I'll go check it out when I do find the time.
Thank you!