Constraining Gears in Inventor 8

[Ein]

I know how to ser a rotational constraint with the proper ratio between two gears, but is it possible to constrain the teeth as well? If you just set a ratio, the teeth tend to unmesh after a while. I checked around and the answer seems to be no, but sometimes you get lucky. The gears are accurately drawn as I got them from Boston Gear.

[jdiwnab]

Making proper gears in anything is EXTREEMLY dificult. Many will just make a close approximation of the gears. Usually, it isn't necessary, nor is it recomended, to constrain gears pefectly. I don't know what gears you are using, nor do I no if they would even be visible normally. I have seen the inventor for the kit transmistion and it has incredible detail, but I wouldn't even try to have all of those gears and everything move correctly. The reason is that (according to a college student that did incredible Inventor stuff), gears have very more complex shapes than may give them credit for. The gears must be made to exact specifications in Inventor to even possibly work correctly.

Don't worry though. If they get the proper speed ratio out of them, chances are that the gear teeth are too small to be seen when you drive the constraint. However, if someone does know how to do this correctly, I would love to know.

[Crebb]

I've tried. It's not worth it. just line them up so they look like they are meshing and then make the rotational constraint. It'll keep them lined up correct for a while.