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How can you make a functional pen-click mechanism in Solidworks?

Question asked by Justin Berelsman on Oct 1, 2015
Latest reply on Oct 13, 2015 by Nicholas Scharpen

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I am trying to make a functioning pen-click mechanism in SolidWorks, but I have run into a wall. I have been unsuccessful at mating the components of the pen concentrically while also allowing the cam of the pent to correctly follow the mate. I have attempted to draw a 3-d sketch of the grooves that the cam follow, but again I have been able to make these components concentric. Is there a way to project the path so that I can make all of the components concentric as well? The pen is a mock-up of a Pilot Click pen if you would need a physical reference. I believe that I have everything modeled correctly, but the trouble lies within the assembly. I will attach the files, and I appreciate the help.

Message was edited by: Justin Berelsman New to the forums, I hope that this file is correct.

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Assem2.zip4.0 MB

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Zac Evans Oct 1, 2015 2:06 PM

Your assembly you attached needs to include the part files as well, please pack and go the parts and and attach again so we can help.

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Nicholas Scharpen Oct 1, 2015 2:58 PM

You need to use Pack and Go to grab all files associated with an assembly or drawing. Flatten to a single folder when you do.

How did you try to build the barrel cam? With a sweep along a 3d path or a wrap? I've only been able to make working barrel cams with the wrap feature.

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Justin Berelsman @ Nicholas Scharpen on Oct 1, 2015 3:12 PM

Okay, I think I finally have it packed correctly, thank you for your patience.

To answer your question, I did use the wrap feature in order to build my barrel cam, however there are three variable thicknesses, so it isn't quite a uniform cam. I believe that I have it to the point where it will "click", but I first need to figure out the appropriate mates.

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Nicholas Scharpen @ Justin Berelsman on Oct 2, 2015 6:24 PM

Okay, I briefly looked at your model before leaving the office yesterday and noticed a few things about the feature I would change. First you're not going to be able to get the cam pin surfaces to engage the cam groove surfaces. Instead use a point on one of cam pins to follow a 3d sketch path coincident with the inside edge of the cam groove using the fit spline tool.

Second, when making a cam groove that wraps entirely around a cylinder use an equation to drive the overall length of the wrap sketch to the circumference of the surface you're wrapping (dia*pi). If you break the wrap into sections and give it a radial pattern the pieces may not line up correctly and even if they do feature patterns can't link sketch/feature geometry to ensure proper alignment so if the cylinder changes at all gaps or overlap could show up in the pattern.

I wish I had a better answer but when I make gates and doors that run on rollers in tracks I don't bother trying to mate the roller face to the track face, I mate a point on the roller to a sketch path on the track and it works just fine for me.

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Justin Berelsman @ Nicholas Scharpen on Oct 6, 2015 10:43 AM

Thank you for the advice. I was able to wrap the cam grooves around the inside cylinder using the equation driven method. However, I am still unable to make the cam concentric with the pen shaft while following the shaft. Is there a way to make a 3d sketch of the path that is on the same diameter as the intersection between the cam grooves and cam pins? I will post a picture to clarify what I mean.

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Nicholas Scharpen @ Justin Berelsman on Oct 13, 2015 3:13 PM

Enable temporary axis and mate the center axis of the outer shell with the center axis of the inner piece.

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6 Replies

Zac Evans Oct 1, 2015 2:06 PM
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Your assembly you attached needs to include the part files as well, please pack and go the parts and and attach again so we can help.
Thanks
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Nicholas Scharpen Oct 1, 2015 2:58 PM
Mark Correct
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You need to use Pack and Go to grab all files associated with an assembly or drawing. Flatten to a single folder when you do.

How did you try to build the barrel cam? With a sweep along a 3d path or a wrap? I've only been able to make working barrel cams with the wrap feature.
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- Justin Berelsman @ Nicholas Scharpen on Oct 1, 2015 3:12 PM
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  Okay, I think I finally have it packed correctly, thank you for your patience.
  
  To answer your question, I did use the wrap feature in order to build my barrel cam, however there are three variable thicknesses, so it isn't quite a uniform cam. I believe that I have it to the point where it will "click", but I first need to figure out the appropriate mates.
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  - Nicholas Scharpen @ Justin Berelsman on Oct 2, 2015 6:24 PM
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    Okay, I briefly looked at your model before leaving the office yesterday and noticed a few things about the feature I would change. First you're not going to be able to get the cam pin surfaces to engage the cam groove surfaces. Instead use a point on one of cam pins to follow a 3d sketch path coincident with the inside edge of the cam groove using the fit spline tool.
    
    Second, when making a cam groove that wraps entirely around a cylinder use an equation to drive the overall length of the wrap sketch to the circumference of the surface you're wrapping (dia*pi). If you break the wrap into sections and give it a radial pattern the pieces may not line up correctly and even if they do feature patterns can't link sketch/feature geometry to ensure proper alignment so if the cylinder changes at all gaps or overlap could show up in the pattern.
    
    I wish I had a better answer but when I make gates and doors that run on rollers in tracks I don't bother trying to mate the roller face to the track face, I mate a point on the roller to a sketch path on the track and it works just fine for me.
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    - Justin Berelsman @ Nicholas Scharpen on Oct 6, 2015 10:43 AM
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      Thank you for the advice. I was able to wrap the cam grooves around the inside cylinder using the equation driven method. However, I am still unable to make the cam concentric with the pen shaft while following the shaft. Is there a way to make a 3d sketch of the path that is on the same diameter as the intersection between the cam grooves and cam pins? I will post a picture to clarify what I mean.
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      - Nicholas Scharpen @ Justin Berelsman on Oct 13, 2015 3:13 PM
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        Enable temporary axis and mate the center axis of the outer shell with the center axis of the inner piece.
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How can you make a functional pen-click mechanism in Solidworks?

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