Utilizing the proper a_Radius at the pitch line, the diameter of one of the (ten or so) rollers determines
the b_radius for the slightly curtate curve traced by the innermost point of one of the rollers,
as well as the b_radius for the slightly prolate curve traced by the outermost point of the one of the rollers.

Modifying the script to compute these two points as a pair, for each t_radian distance, and
then creating a diameter circle there, will create an envelope.
Maybe make the circles planar surfaces.
There will be t * 2 * PI * number of circles, but MoI should handle this easily.
Then boolean add the circles to create the envelope, (?)
And boolean deduct the envelope from a rectangular rail, to form the upper portion of (some of) the teeth. (?)

? - Brian

Maybe you could help me create the teeth for a specific pin size and count? This is the part I'm at now.

So I made a great rack, but how to equate the a and b values with how many pins in the roller of a specific size?

I could have those values dictate the amount of pins, but how to create the teeth in the rack per the pin count of my choice? I guess thats just an offsetting value of a single tooth made?

[EDIT] You were posting while I was typing:

You've gone beyond what I can speak to about it.... Any examples you give would help alot......

I don't know if this will help, Burr.
Here's a cycloid curve that I generated in a CAD/CAM application that I use - perhaps you could scale it to your required size?


Martin.

Hi Burr

I'm not an engineer.
Looking at the NEXEN pdf, http://www.nexengroup.com/nxn/files/literatures/364_21262.pdf,
The RPS20 Pinion, as an example, has 10 rollers, a pitch circle diameter of 63.7 mm, and travels 200 mm per rev.
(PI * 63.7 = 200.1194520336698292900703835149mm)
I did not see the diameter of one roller, but this could be measured off of the side view.
Also need the radius, from the center of the Pinion, to the center of a roller. Will this come out to be the same as the pitch circle diameter/2?
These two values should enable the creation of a script to create an envelope, for the teeth of the rack.

Rack of 1000mm has 50 teeth. Rack tooth pitch, Peak to peak distance of the teeth, is 20.

CAD drawings, RPS20: http://www.nexengroup.com/nxn/products/details/id/966660
Also has several rack CAD drawings.

 


"---Maybe you could help me create the teeth for a specific pin size and count?---" I will try to help.

First create the pinion cross section with all of the relevant radii.
I think that the pinion determines what the rack teeth will look like.

Here is another script version, CycloidInterp, with Interpcurve and 200 pts per cycle, which makes a "more accurate" cycloid
See post 18 for updated script.

Open RPS20 pinion DXF in MoI, measure distances.

Roller diameter is 10 mm
Shaft radius is 25 mm diameter. (not needed)
Radius from center of shaft to center of roller is 30 mm.
Pitch Circle radius is 63.7/2 = 31.85. This is not quite the same as 30 mm.

So now the Curtate and Prolate radii can be calculated.
Will try for a new script for envelope later

Got to go to work now. Will look again tonight.

- Brian

The DXF seems to be a little imprecise.?
aRadius = 31.85
b radius = 30.0

Okay, plot the curtate center of the roller with CurtateInterp script, and sweep with a 10mm diameter line.
Comes out pretty close.
The tooth profile and the swept surface look pretty good at the backlash meeting point.

Here is the resulting curve for the teeth, in Red color.
Lopped off the top and did a fillet.

I think that does it, within some level of precision. :-)

- Brian

Edit: There is probably some formula for the curve, derived from "instantaneous velocity centers," or something.
There must be some formula for calculating the pitch circle diameter. (?)

There is a paper that did something like that for epi and hypocycloidal speed reducers

Thanks Brian for all the time to help out with that!

The CycloidInterp script works well for modeling the Revoloop. (German patent was applied for.)

http://forum.alibre.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=17773&p=110124#p110124

This would make a 3D print, or even a CNC router project.
It may be more of a novelty than a practical gear(?)

- Brian

Hi,

is is right that there are different cycloid scripts uploaded here ?
I could not find ou the difference between them.

Here my question regarding epicycloids :
- How can I build several epicycloids nested within each other
like the 2 shown in the attachment ?



 

Hi Tom,

re:
> - How can I build several epicycloids nested within each other
> like the 2 shown in the attachment ?

After you've created one, try using Construct > Offset on it to build a new nested one.

- Michael

Offset is the first which came in my mind - but it does not work.
I tried trimming the Epicyloid curve in segments but nothing either.
Thats why i posted the question here.

Hi Tom,

I used Hypotrochoid script to emulate your inner curve, with a:b ration of 5:1, a = 10, b = 2, c = 4.5 seems to be a close match.

Per Michael's suggestion, I tried offset for a larger curve, with 4 of 5 lobes working well.
I manipulated one lobe with trims and joins and circular array, and join, to match your drawing...
May try again after work.

- Brian

Hi Tom, can you please post the .3dm model file with the epicycloid curve in it that won't offset?

- Michael

Post deleted.
Thanks to Michael and Tom for lesson on unchecking Trim in Offset command in following messages.

Bothsides checkbox is also interesting.

- Brian

Hi Michael,

It is possible to offset, but after that,
I have to trim and blend, etc.

I am going through many variations and itrations, so it would
be a time saver to generate the desired curve with one click.

I tried the script fatlines but it causes a crah when working with an Epicyloid.

Thank you Brian, Ill have a look !

Hi Tom, if you could please post the .3dm file with the curve in it, instead of only screenshots it could make it easier to give suggestions.

From what I tell from your latest screenshot there, it looks like you should just uncheck the "Trim" option in Offset so that it will generate the full curve for you instead of trying to cut out pieces at self intersections.

- Michael

- Fatlines with very thiny values (0.1, or 0.05) by Max Smirnov http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=7594.31
- Kill original lines
- increase size
- Trim All

Hi Michael,

Sorry, I had upload but forgot to take a second look.

Anyway you gave me the key - I were not aware about the trim function in the offset
command so I am happy to have learnt about another function former unknown to me.

Back to MOI which fits like a bespoke glove for my work as an artist and designer
who wants to visualize inmediately what he has in mind without being distracted by a myriad
of buttons and commands ! I am really happy that I discovered your little gem a while ago.