How to get a curve from a moving part and extract the coodinates

[MichaelVoelz]

Hey, I´m new to solide edge.

Does anyone know if is it possible to extract the curve points of a ball which moves on a 3d curve with solide edge?

I´m trying to optimize Track-to-track ball returns for ball screws. The idea is to create a "path-part" and a "thread-part" and let the ball move along a defined 2d curve over the the shaft’s outer diameter.

This 3d-ball-movement is easy to realize with solide edge but I´m not able to find a fast way to extract the midpoints of the moving ball.

"Motion" even shows the curves but I´m not able to see a funktion or the points.

[hawcad]

Hi @MichaelVoelz

I apologize for my bad understanding the question but can You upload a picture or movie for better recognizing the wanted request

[Johnson_BigMatt]

not aware of any method in SE Native.  but I do know that DDM can do such.

[MichaelVoelz]

I uploaded 3 pictures. The "track-to-track return.jpg" shows a general ball screw with track-to-track return systems. I uploaded another one with the defined 2d-curve and one picture with a "path-dummy" and a "thread-dummy" to get the 3d-movement of the ball in SE.

[hawcad]

Hi @MichaelVoelz

OK, now I've got it.

Can a path relation in the ASM help You and do what You want?

Center of sphere should be connected to the 3D curve (helical curve can help here)

[MichaelVoelz]

Hi @hawcad

2 path relations (sphere-thread and sphere-2Dpath) helped me to get required 3D path of the sphere.

What i need now are the x-y-z coordinates of the midpoint of the moving sphere.

Hi @Johnson_BigMatt

do you know which DDM version is able to do so? I tried simply motion but could not find a way. Is the academic version worth a try?

[Johnson_BigMatt]

i have used the "full version" of DDM and you can plot paths as you are seeking.   I would assume Academic could do so as well but i do not know the licensing structure well or what /who qualifies for that use...

their support is very good.   i suggest asking them directly... you can find a link on their website.

[MichaelVoelz]

I recently downloaded the DDM evaluation version. Its a free "full version" for testing a limited amount of time. There you can plot the paths like MattJohnson told. Thank you for this tip.

But there is a small problem I got now. I got the 3D path of the sphere with two combined path relations in asm which are not avaiable in "Motion".

I basically need to combine two relations:

1. The surface of the sphere always has to touch the "thread-dummy"

2. The centre point of the sphere has to move along the curved path of the "path-dummy"

For better understanding i am uploading a picture. The part on the top is the "path-dummy" and on the bottom you can see the "thread-dummy".

I would really appreciate it if anyone has an idea how to realize these two path relations.