What CAD can be used to design suspensions, cables, ropes?

Question

CAD/CAM

For example, in what CAD can you simulate an ordinary rope-roulette?
Or, for example, a tension mechanism, not on a spring, but on a rubber band?

Answer 1

             Design - in any. Simulate to the level of the elastic element - any "medium" and above CAD, BUT it will actually be a visualization, i.e. you yourself calculate everything, calculate the kinematics, albeit with the help of some built-in tools, and then build the animation according to your calculations. So, to draw, set an elastic element and change its rigidity (section, material) and to make everything spin "by itself" - this, unfortunately, is unrealistic. In any case, half must be done by the designer. CAD will only show visually and facilitate some tedious moments like calculation for fatigue strength, stresses and deformations.
             A real and available option for setting a parametric model: we set the trajectory for construction in the form of a spiral with a variable parameter (external (internal) diameter / number of turns / pitch / direction ) and bind to the starting point. Then it will be possible to change the variable in the model, which will change the shape of the spiral. Similar actions with any curves given through equations. The behavior of any chains and cables is quite successfully described by equations, therefore, in the calculations, a simplification of the required parameter is always taken. Once we count for a break, or we set it as a rod with hinged fastening on both sides, and then it's just a virtual curve of a given length so that the bodies do not produce unnecessarily.
          
             The issue of modeling the winding of something (mainly a cable, cable, chain) has been repeatedly raised in all thematic forums - I have not come across a simple solution out of the box. In the end, everyone comes to the idea that it is not required at all, because it does not fit with reality later, and the length of the spiral by the number of turns and diameter can be counted on the fingers. All that remains is the visualization of the work, which is successfully pushed to the marketing department, where in 3Ds or Blender the designer draws the work of this all "by eye" so that it just looks like a working one.
             Specifically, according to CAD .. well, any truth. Even Compass can do parametric modeling. Implementation is another matter - you are tormented by smoking manuals. Therefore, poppy and simple - SolidWorks + Simulation + Motion from his own kit. "Chain/belt drive" interfaces are implemented exactly in 2015. And in general, there are enough goodies for interfaces in SW - a complete set of kinematic pairs (screw-nut, cam, gearbox, wings, etc.).
             Hardcore - T-Flex or PTC Creo (former ProE). It is believed that T-Flex is in many ways the best for flexible elements and similar parametric tasks - I didn’t personally notice, all the same can be done in any other CAD system - the only question is the degree of ownership of it and understanding what you are doing.