[APDL] Sweeping in APDL

[protrader]

Hello,
I need to sketch an imperfect cone solid model with skewed teeth around it with changing cross-sectional area. The only easier way is drawing the upper and lower cross section of the solid model and sweeping (not revolving) but unfortunately after much attempt I could not find a way to do that with APDL. Is there any one that can help me with this?

I have a very similar 3D model that can help to figure out what I need. The only difference is that the cross sectional area of the teeth are constant while in my model it varies.

 

[Struct71]

Did you try the VDRAG command?

From your description I think you must be in a cylindrical coordinate system, and your dragline must be a spiral shape around the central axis.

 

[protrader]

you are right about VDRAG, I cannot use that because the cross sectional area of the teeth of the solid change, if they were constant I could define a path line and then I could extrude that but VDRAG cannot make that. Plus, defining the spiral path does not seem easy.

 

[Struct71]

Spirals are very easy in a cylindrical coordinate system.

CSYS,1
K,100,radius,angle1,z1
K,101,radius,angle2,z2
L,100,101

After that, any area or volume you are defining with KP100&101 will use the spiral line you just created.

 

[protrader]

radius is the radius of the cylinder? in fact the solid is not a cylinder, it is an imperfect cone, meaning the radius of the upper face and lower face are a little bit different. So I think I have to use different radii.

The teeth have been skewed 9 degrees, so the angle should be for example 0 and 9, is that correct?