🕹️ 23. Creating a Hanging Chain Simulation

In this chapter, we will guide you through the exciting process of creating a hanging chain simulation using Tinker cad Sim Lab. You’ll learn how to start your project, design the chain, simulate it, and explore different materials to observe their effects. Let’s get started on this gravity-defying adventure!

Starting Your 3D Design:

• 🏗️ How to start creating a 3D model.
• 📚 Click on ‘Designs’.
• 🆕 Click ‘Create’, then choose the ‘3D Design’ option.
• 🖥️ Your 3D design workspace will appear.

Creating the Base of the Chain:

• 🔗 How to make the first part of your hanging chain.
•  ▪️    Select a cylinder from the basic shapes.
• 📏 Adjust its size using the white squares until you’re happy with it.
• 🎨 Change the colour of the cylinder to grey.

Duplicating and Arranging Cylinders:

• 🔄 How to duplicate shapes and arrange them to form a chain.
• 📋 Click on the ‘Duplicate’ option on the left side of your screen.
• 🔄 A duplicate of the cylinder will appear. Adjust its position so it’s slightly offset from the first cylinder.
• 📐 Repeat the duplication process and arrange the cylinders so they look like parts of a chain.

Adding a Chain Link:

• ➰ How to insert a pre-made chain link into your design.
• 🔍 Search for ‘chain’ in the shapes section.
• 🪝 Select the chain link that appears and place it in your design.
• 📐 Adjust the size of the chain link to fit your chain structure.

Making Objects Static in Sim Lab:

• 🧱 How to make objects static so they don’t fall during simulation.
• 🍏 Click on the Sim Lab icon (apple icon) on the right side of your screen.
• 🚫 Click on each part of your chain base and make them static by clicking on ‘Make Static’.
• 🛡️ This will ensure that your chain base doesn’t fall during the simulation.

Adding Material Properties to the Chain:

• 🎭 How to change the material properties of the chain for the simulation.
• 🧲 Click on the chain link.
• 📦 In the materials section, experiment with different materials like bouncy rubber, plastic, steel, wood, or soft wood.
• 👁️‍🗨️ Observe how the material choice affects the movement and reaction of the chain during the simulation.

Testing Your Chain in the Simulation:

• 🎮 How to run a simulation and observe how different materials behave.
• ▶️ Once you’ve set the material for your chain, click ‘Play’ to start the simulation.
• 👀 Observe how the chain moves or reacts when you hit it.
• ⏸️ Pause the simulation if you want to make changes or try different materials.
• 🔄 Reset the simulation after each change to see how different materials affect the movement of the chain.

Wrapping Up Your Project:

• 🏁 The importance of reviewing and saving your work.
• 🤔 After testing different materials, decide which one you like best for your chain.
• 📝 Review your entire design to make sure it looks like a hanging chain.
• 💾 Save your project to ensure you don’t lose your work.

Creating simulations in Tinker cad is a fun way to see physics in action! Don’t be afraid to try different materials and see what happens. Every design is a new learning experience. Have fun tinkering!