How to sweep a circle along helix in 3D

[stevethb]

Hi

I want to make something like a wire from old phones, and I need to sweep a circle along helix in 3D. I tried to draw a helix using "radius method - use law" but I don`t know that this option could draw a helix in 3D. Maybe somebody had some ideas how to make it or some tricks ? I`m using now NX6.

 

[naresh843]

hi steve..
juz go thru the image n let me know whthr that type of issue r u looking for?????????

Naresh.C
Sr,Engg.
Chennai,
India

 

[stevethb]

Hi naresh

I`m looking something like this but Your wire is on "simple" helix and I want to make something like this - look at the picture

 

[BOPdesigner]

Login to GTAC and find their archive of quarterly newsletters. I can't find the exact issue right now, but one of them explained exactly how to do this. Attached is a part file I created a while back per their instructions. I hope it helps.

 

[stevethb]

This is what I was looking for, thanks for your help I will log to GTAC and try to find this.

 

[BOPdesigner]

Found it. GTAC quarterly Q1 2002, page 8.

 

[hudson888]

Is this what you wanted?

I know that you'd have thought that you could sweep a circle but it turns out that the orientation of the circular profile relative to the helix is at an oblique. The better way is to simply sweep something like a line to establish an edge that is the centreline of the cord. Having done that you don't need to use a sweep to create a circular profile, you can use a tube feature more easily.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[hudson888]

The file didn't attach?! Try Again

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[stevethb]

Yes, this cord is what I was looking for, this way to create is like You said less difficult and there is one more thing which I observed. First I was think that it could be solved using single segment tube, but there is a little diference between single and multiple segment tube ( look at the picture ) I think that it could be solved by using smaller tolerance. Very thanks for Your help hudson

Regards

 

[hudson888]

You must be using different geometry for your own example because mine wasn't nearly that bad. There nevertheless was such a problem and try as I may I couldn't get a swept line to stop from kinking at some point along the profile. This is very bad form of NX not to respect the geometry like that and I think it merits looking into. However I was able to come up with one knid of geometry that will yield a correct result. Sadly it isn't parametric, but let's look on the bright side that at least it works.

What I have done is to sweep a circle as we would have done with the line that we used earlier. Having no edges seems to give the system no choice other than to not kink the thing. What I have done next that you may not be able to deduce from the model is to extract an Isoparametric U curve from the swept solid that describes the centreline of the cord. I can't see any kinks in the resulting model this time.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[stevethb]

This your trick is brilliant, it isn`t parametric but there is a very good continuity of tube. I`m impressed of Your knowledge of using simple tools to create something complicated : ) Thanks for all