Help! broken down thread in PET bottle cap

[wanniez]

in some bottlecaps you see a thread broken down in smaller “lanes”. What is the best way to construct such a thing? I have tried to create a small secment of helix and then use 'curve driven pattern' on reference 3D spline (from a helix) to create a continuous thread pattern. In the property manager, I selected tangent to curve to create continuous pattern on the spline. However, when it comes to select 'normal surface' it wouldnt let me!
what have I done wrong? is there another way to model such a thread?
Many Thanks

 

[handleman]

Model a continuous helical thread. Then extrude-cut to create the gaps.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

 

[Eltron]

Did you check this FAQ:

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=1492

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[wanniez]

Thanks to Handleman! Honestly, I made it too complicated myself. your way is simple and easy to accomplish!

 

[007bondy]

Could you post a screen shot of the way you have modeled it ??
I am always interested in different ways people model simple things like this .
I try to do the same thing in a smaller feature tree ,I take it as a challenge;-) I'll post a screeny of the way i did it .It could be an education for both of us.
Thanks