How to Create a Spherical Helical Path with Solidworks 1

[isofilm]

Is there a simple way to create a spherical helical path (like a continuous orange peel)? I do not need to start or stop at the poles, near is fine. I basically want to cover a sphere (except near poles) with a continuous tube.

 

[takedownca]

SW won't do it automagically for you, but you have a few options.

1. Intersect a helical ribbon with a sphere and use the resulting edge. This one's the easiest to edit.

2. Create curve thru xyz points. Use Excel and some simple equations that work in the spherical coordinate system to generate the points. You can edit the Excel file, but it's not linked to the curve.

3. Use the macro below. It's easy to create the curve, but it's not editable.

http://www.3dcontentcentral.com/Search/macro.aspx?id=6287

 

[takedownca]

FYI, here are the spherical equations you'd need to use. I don't remember offhand the formulas to convert from spherical to Cartesian coordinates, but they're easy enough to google.

R = R_Sphere
Theta = 2*pi*NumSpirals*t
Phi = pi*t

0 <= t <= 1

 

[takedownca]

You can also use cylindrical coordinates and replace Phi with Z = R_Sphere*(2*t - 1).

 

[isofilm]

Thanks, sounds great.

Best regards,
Daniel L. Thomas, CTO
Novel Concepts, Inc.

http://www.novelconceptsinc.com

 

[TheTick]

I have a barrel-shaped torsion spring that uses a method similar to the one suggested by takedownca. Find it at <

http://www.esoxrepublic.com/models/>

in file "hinge.zip"

Honesty may be the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help