Physics Constraints - Animating Universal Joints (Drivershaft, Cardan Joint)


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By LFA - 3 Years Ago
Hi, everyone,
Does anybody have figured out how to use physics constraints (or physics toolbox) to animate a universal joint for mechanical transmission?
What is a UNIVERSAL JOINT - Cardan or Constant-velocity Joint? - YouTube

I have two alternatives to animate it without physics, but that is not what I am looking for. I also attempted to use constraints (hinge, point to point, generic etc.) but the results are not working so far.

I would appreciate if anyone can point me at the right workflow/tutorial.

Thank you and have a productive week ahead.
Luciano
By Rampa - 3 Years Ago
I found I got the best results with a central object between my two shafts that had the hinges on it. Parented one hinge to the drive shaft and the other to the follow shaft. You do need something constraining the follow shaft, just like in real life. I just a added an infinite plane to the scene for it fall against. Then set it's damping pretty high. You can download and examine my project here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tp1uRNe3x0bRDJA7G9DS_5ATIZpIjq3k/view?usp=sharing
By LFA - 3 Years Ago
Hi,
Thank you very much for sharing. I'll check it out later today and let you know my results.
I appreciate your help.

Best regards
Luciano
By LFA - 3 Years Ago
Hi Rampa,

It works! Thank you very much for your help. I examined your project and understood what was missing. I also added two hinges to lock both side at position, used soft limit and recorded in "by frame" mode.
Much appreciated, now I can proceed with my vehicle modeling, and add this type of joint to the final design.
Best regards,
Luciano
By Rampa - 3 Years Ago
LFA (3/7/2022)
Hi Rama,

It works! Thank you very much for your help. I examined your project and understood what was missing. I also added two hinges to lock both side at position, used soft limit and recorded in "by frame" mode.
Much appreciated, now I can proceed with my vehicle modeling, and add this type of joint to the final design.
Best regards,
Luciano

Awesome! :)

That is looking pretty cool with a more realistic construction.
By LFA - 3 Years Ago
Hi Rampa,

Here is my project file.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BpCS6crTcb7NKy3aThkDh0rXtqHlAwD9/view?usp=sharing

Thank you again for the great help.

Best regards
Luciano