Can I Use MSPhysics for This: One-handed Brake Lever Design?

[Tim Danaher]

I'm trying to design a solution for one-handed braking on a racing bicycle (see attachment; the Aux blade is the one I'm trying to design. Stock brake lever operates front brake, Aux lever operates rear. I don't want to use a cable splitter / discontinuous cable solutions).

I'd like to use MSPhysics to set up a simulation with the two pivot points and collision detection between the lever blades that would allow me to tweak the position and shape of the lower Aux blade to get the best interaction with the Stock blade lever.

So:

1. Can I use MSPhysics for this?

2. In my (admittedly limited) experience, MSP simulations require you to hit 'Play' and let them run. Is there any way of me interacting with the model in real time (rotating the Stock lever blade with the Rotate tool?)

3. If I set this up in 2D, will the properties carry over if I extrude the model into 3D?

4. Any suggestions for 3D printing the final Aux lever blade? Materials, durability, etc?

TIA,

[Rich O Brien]

@tim danaher said:

1. Can I use MSPhysics for this?

2. In my (admittedly limited) experience, MSP simulations require you to hit 'Play' and let them run. Is there any way of me interacting with the model in real time (rotating the Stock lever blade with the Rotate tool?)

3. If I set this up in 2D, will the properties carry over if I extrude the model into 3D?

4. Any suggestions for 3D printing the final Aux lever blade? Materials, durability, etc?

TIA,

1 - Yes

2 - Yes

3 - Not really because the physics will change as will the shell for the collider.

4 - depends on where you live. iMaterialize or Shapeways allow you to upload and cost the print before paying.

This is a good video to get started.

[Anton_S]

In addition to what Rich said, create a copy of your model file prior to extruding it and adding MSPhysics joints. That way your original model will be there whenever you need it.

[Tim Danaher]

OK, cheers, both...