How to model a working spring. 1

[bentwings2]

I have access to SW 2016 and a brand new powerful computer.

I'm modeling a retractable landing gear for a very large scale model airplane. The task is to show how it functions. So far I've got it all operating within its limits but I'd like to show how a couple springs really move. I've never really had occasion to do this and I've been away from SW for a while.

I can model the helical spring but I'd like to animate it. So how do I do this?

 

[natepiercy]

This Youtube video shows from spring creation to the animation procedure. Outside of an actual animation, I believe you have to rebuilt to get the spring to change its length to match the current geometry.

 

[Updraft]

I saw this concept done at SWW2013 in Orlando. Here is my own version of a spring that moves with its parts in an assembly. An actual helical spring cannot be animated due to the lengthy calculations required, however, if you want something that looks like a spring would look this is about as easy as it gets.

- - -Updraft

 

[bentwings2]

I couldn't get the zip file to open. I'm not very fluent with Dropbox. However I did get the YouTube to work. Pretty slick. I'll have to give it a test.
Thanks for the help.

Byron

 

[Updraft]

Here are the part and assembly files.

 

[Updraft]

Here's the part file.

 

[TheTick]

SW Motion generates graphical representations of springs. This may suit your needs.

 

[djhurayt]

Here is a spring model that I created.

to modify it to your requirements:
1) manage equations for:

spring dia, centerline
wire dia
and active coils
​

2) configure location of the plane named "other end of spring" to give the spring length for its:

free length
installed, max length
and installed, min length​

3) if you do not want ground ends: suppress the "Cut-Extrude1" feature

 

[bentwings2]

Pretty slick!
I'll try a simple model before I put it in a complicated assembly.

Thanks
Byron

 

[djhurayt]

I haven't played with this model lately but I did want to figure out how to mate the "Top Plane (end of spring)" and the "other end of spring" plane to my assemble and have it continuously update the variable associated with the location of the "other end of spring" plane. Then if the mating parts have a max min distance mate you could drag that component to it limits and have the spring update. THAT will be slick

 

[bentwings2]

Thanks for the help.