hi,
if i understand correctly, you need to simplified the contact condition to avoid penalty.
are the rods made by stainless steel and the cage from plastic? if it’s true, then your assumption and simplification may reasonable.
you can use multipoint constraint equation, but it’s hard to do it manually. CalculiX GraphiX (CGX) could help much in this task.
alternatively, you can use Tied contact type by adjusting parameter values for it’s tangential movement. i has been discussed at another threads.
best,