Hi all.

Once again i am hoping that somebody on this can point me i the right direction.

I have modelled a simple chain (i.e bike chain) i assembled this by creating 3 different parts. Each side of the links ie and the chain pin. I have then assembled 2 'mini assemblies:' One larger link, one smaller link, each with a hinge pin.

Then in the master assembly i have assembled the chain in the position that i require it by intelinking each link. I done so by using a concentric mate on the hinge pin and a coincident mate on the edges. I am relatively happy with how the chain moves. However i am having 2 slight difficulties:

1. Although the chain is long enough, it will not allow me to mate the termination link to a fixing point point. It seems that there may be too many mates having to co operate at once to achieve this. Is there a simpler way to pin the chain to two termination points?

2. Is there a mehod for controlling the over shape that the chain takes when it is not being used. For instance i would like to to follow the curvature of the ring ( as displayed in my image) I have achieved this with one of the chains as you can see, but this was purely by dragging it close to how i would like it.  A very crude method i am sure will all agree!

I was thinkin of sketching a circle in the curvature i would like the chain to follow then mate a point on each link to the circle, but this did not seem to work?? Im probably waaaaaay of track!

Thankyou in advance to anyone who may be able to help!