Unlocking the secrets of SolidWorksUnlocking the secrets of SolidWorks

Belt/Chain Belt/Chain Assembly FeatureAssembly Feature

SolidWorks has the ability to create a belt or chain to work with a system of gears or pulleys.

Belt/Chain Belt/Chain Assembly FeatureAssembly Feature

Use the Belt/Chain assembly feature to model systems of belts and pulleys or chains and sprockets.

Belt/Chain feature creates:Belt/Chain feature creates:Belt mates to constrain the relative rotation of the pulley components.A sketch containing a closed chain of arcs and lines describing the path of the belt.

Belt/Chain Dialog BoxBelt/Chain Dialog BoxSelect PulleysSelect Belt Length

Driving CheckboxEngage Belt CheckboxCreate Belt Part Checkbox

Select PulleysSelect Pulleys

Select Belt LengthSelect Belt LengthSolidWorks automatically calculates belt lengthChecking “Driving” box allows for choosing a lengthSlack in belt will be automatically taken up by tensioner pulley

Engage BeltEngage BeltEngaged belt will drive all pulleysSolidWorks automatically creates mates to rotate pulleys at the correct rates

Create Belt PartCreate Belt PartCheck “Create Belt Part” to make a part from the belt sketchBelt part can be edited to create a solid from the sketch

Creating Creating Solid BeltSolid Belt

Belt sketch can be extruded to make a solid belt

ExtrudeExtrudeExtruding in one direction with a thin feature creates the desired belt shape

Finished ProductFinished Product