Is it possible to get an assembly of chainlinks to follow a path as a new part in SolidEdge?

So I have an assembly of chain, made up of separate links as a straight length of chain and I would like to create a new part with this after making it follow a path over a pulley wheel then off at an angle tangent to this pulley wheel! Hope that makes sense. Thanks.
2 Answers

Phil,
I'm a Solid Edge user (20+ years), it is possible, yet it's not intuitive and a royal pain.
I don't show full chain in my assemblies, due to massive memory taxation. Even with Xeon processors, 16GB Video memory and 32GB system memory, a simple chain with slow the system down.
There are some youtube videos on these tough techniques. I suggest you start from there. The procedure doesn't change much, so don't worry about how old the video is. Practice on simple assemblies before going to you production design.
Here's a starting point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQYCl11Dh3A

Yes, it's possible to get an assembly of chain links to follow a path as a new part in Solid Edge. Here's how:
Create the Chain Link Assembly:
Model the Chain Link: Create a single chain link as a part file in Solid Edge.
Create the Assembly: Start a new assembly file. Insert multiple instances of the chain link part into the assembly.
Constrain the Links: Use assembly constraints (mates) to connect the chain links together, allowing for articulation between them.
Create the Path:
Sketch or Curve: Create a 3D sketch or curve that represents the desired path for the chain to follow. This path could be a simple arc, a complex spline, or any other shape you need.
Apply Path Motion:
Motion Simulation: Utilize Solid Edge's motion simulation tools to define the movement of the chain assembly along the path.
Path Constraint: Apply a path constraint to one of the chain links, referencing the path you created in step 2.
Drive Constraint: Use a drive constraint to control the movement of the chain along the path. You can specify the speed, direction, and any other desired motion characteristics.
Save as New Part:
Simplified Representation: Once the motion simulation is set up and working correctly, you can use Solid Edge's "Simplified Representation" feature to create a new part file that captures the chain assembly in its deformed state along the path. This new part file will represent the chain conforming to the desired path.
Important Considerations:
Link Flexibility: If the chain links need to flex or deform as they follow the path, you might need to use more advanced simulation tools or consider flexible modeling techniques within Solid Edge.
Collision Detection: Make sure to enable collision detection in the motion simulation to avoid any unrealistic intersections or interferences between the chain links and other components in the assembly.
Optimization: If the chain assembly is complex or the path is intricate, the simulation and simplification process might be computationally intensive. Optimize your model and simulation settings for better performance.
Alternative Approach:
If you don't require a dynamic simulation and just need a static representation of the chain along the path, you could manually position and constrain each chain link along the path using assembly constraints. However, this approach can be time-consuming for long or complex chains.
Remember to consult Solid Edge's documentation and tutorials for detailed instructions on using the specific tools and features mentioned above.