I have the pulley system working perfectly. However I need to attach an object to the actual belt so it will travel back and forth with the belt. The system rotates the drive pulley/belt CW for a short period of time then reverses direction CCW for the same short period of time, and repeates. I really need help with how I should constrain this object to the belt, using mates or if it needs to be included with the belt sketch when selecting pulleys to go around. thanks!
Zack,
You can't attach a part to the belt but you may be able to use the Rack Pinion mate to simulate the effect.
Take a look here https://forum.solidworks.com/message/428483#428483 for an example that may be useful to you.
Thats what I thought but its such a common design in industry I am having a hard time believing its not possible.
Zack,
If you consider that the straight section of a belt between two pulleys is pretty much equivalent to a rack between two gears, the Rack Pinion mate is how it's possible.
Considering how many people are interested (judging from all the posts I'm seeing on this forum) in animating conveyers and other movement along a path assemblies I'd be surprised if someone at SW isn't working on making this easier.
Erik's workaround is a good one. When it comes to animation there are some limitations that you have to work around. No choice about it. Consider that in animation, your object doesn't really know anything about the belt. That is where the issue comes in. With motion, you can add contact so they know they are connected, but we don't have flexible belts. The key as Erik mentioned is sending your feedback to soldiworks in the way of enchantment requests.
Zack,
You can't attach a part to the belt but you may be able to use the Rack Pinion mate to simulate the effect.
Take a look here https://forum.solidworks.com/message/428483#428483 for an example that may be useful to you.