Problems with hinges and servos - Dual axis panel frame

Hannes1 · 16 Jan 2011, 23:41

I am a newbie to Sketchup and Sketchyphysics. I am having three current problems:

When I try to use the servo to control two separate things, they seem to be all floppy and unconstrained. I would like the servo to act as the hinge and force the two items to move only along the axis of the servo. When I try to couple a hinge and a servo, I get the same floppy behavior. (the hinge by itself works as expected - keeping the two items well constrained)
When using the hinge (I am trying to create two rectangular frames from angle with separate hinges, 90 degrees apart) the hinge appears to be spring loaded; I don't want this. I want to be able to put the hinge in a particular position and leave it there. My frame and the hinge is initially laying flat. When I start the simulation, the item starts to rise up as if the hinge is spring loaded and comes to a springy stop at about a 45 degree angle.
When I have the two hinges, only the topmost hinge works, the other hinge behaves as if it is locked down. I have attached my file with the two frames and two hinges so that you can see what I am trying to accomplish.

My goal is to have each hinge separately controlable with a servo so that I can set each angle and leave it there.

What am I missing, What am I doing wrong?

Thanks.

Hannes1 · 17 Jan 2011, 13:22

The two frames are each their own group; so I have already connected the two groups with a hinge. Do I need to group them together?

sofie9536 · 17 Jan 2011, 14:51

my english is not so good. but I think what you mean. make a group with a frame and a hinge. connect the other hinge with the group and connect the hinge in the group with the frame. puuuuh, hope u understand...frame and servo solution

Hannes1 · 17 Jan 2011, 15:16

Thanks Sofie9536. I Think I understand. If I got it right, you have group the hinge/servo together with the frame for the next servo below it to use them together.