CAE: how to create a 3D spline or helix ???

[neoflight]

Hello,

I am using abaqus cae to create a helix (inside) touching a shell cylinder. I need to independently create the sections for the helix. to make it clear; cae revolves the rectangular section in an angle (specifying the pitch) and the cross section (perpendicular to any line on helix) dimensions of the revolved section are not the ones I provided.

So i am now trying to specify the path using spline and then sweep the section thru it. But i cannot find a way to create a spline in 3D space. how can i do this?

anyother way to create a helix with a specified dimension? I mean iam concerned about any given section perpendicular to the helix path to be precise. Thank you in advance..

 

[neoflight]

anyone? please...

 

[brep]

the following is an example of how to create a helical wire feature...
(watch the indents, they may get mangled in this forum)

###################################################
from abaqus import *
from abaqusConstants import *

Mdb()

rad = 5.0
zFactor = 0.25

p = mdb.models['Model-1'].Part(name='Part-1', dimensionality=THREE_D,
type=DEFORMABLE_BODY)

xyz=[]

for i in range(100):
x = rad*cos(i/5.0)
y = rad*sin(i/5.0)
z = i*zFactor
xyz.append( (x,y,z) )

for j in range( len(xyz) ):
dtm = p.DatumPointByCoordinate(coords=xyz[j])

d = p.datums
p.WireSpline(points=d.values(), mergeWire=OFF, meshable=ON,
smoothClosedSpline=ON)

session.viewports['Viewport: 1'].setValues(displayedObject=p)

 

[neoflight]

Thank you. that gave me the spline. excellent. But its not letting me use this as a path for my sweep.. i am relatively new to abaqus....

any help would be highly appreciated !

thanks again for the help

 

[xerf]

Use a CAD program for modeling and then import the part into CAE.

 

[brep]

Can you try the following and let me know if the "revolve with pitch" command gives you what you want?

#######################
from abaqus import *
from abaqusConstants import *

width = 20.0
height = 5.0
origin = (15.0, 0.0)
pitch = 50.0
numTurns = 2.0

s = mdb.models['Model-1'].ConstrainedSketch(name='rect', sheetSize=200.0)
g = s.geometry
s.setPrimaryObject(option=STANDALONE)
cl = s.ConstructionLine(point1=(0.0, -100.0), point2=(0.0, 100.0))
s.FixedConstraint(entity=g[2])
s.FixedConstraint(entity=g[cl.id])
s.rectangle(point1=(origin[0], origin[1]), point2=(origin[0]+width, origin[1]+height))

p = mdb.models['Model-1'].Part(name='Part-1', dimensionality=THREE_D,
type=DEFORMABLE_BODY)
p = mdb.models['Model-1'].parts['Part-1']

p.BaseSolidRevolve(sketch=s, angle=numTurns*360.0, flipRevolveDirection=OFF,
pitch=pitch, flipPitchDirection=OFF, moveSketchNormalToPath=OFF)
#In above command try changing the following member: moveSketchNormalToPath=ON

s.unsetPrimaryObject()

session.viewports['Viewport: 1'].setValues(displayedObject=p)