Helix along a curve

[MSPBenson]

I'm trying to create a spiral groove around an oval hole.
The hole follows a curved path.
My plan at the moment is to try and create some sort of helix or law curve to project onto the surfaces to create this.
Anyone have any ideas how to create a helix that lies on a curve rather than a line?

Thanks,


Mark Benson
Aerodynamic Model Designer

 

[hudson888]

Mark

Off the top of my head, sweep your oval section along the curve to begin with. Create a line from the center to the longest axis of the ellipse for your oval section. That line becomes a section in a sweep, using the centerline of your oval as the guide curve and an angular law, linear and the values 0 to 360*(number of turns) to sweep a basically helical shape. Now since your section is oval in shape the best approximation by this method is to project the curve onto the surface of the first sweep along face normals.

There's a picture attached.

If your still stuck post an extract of your file and some instructions.

I'd be surprised but pleased if a better than approximate method is available.

Best Regards

Hudson