Making a spring in UG? 2

[mycon73]

Hi,

How do you make a sring in UG (NX2)? I thought there was a "spring" feature in NX2.


Thanks.

Jason Misztal
CAD Designer
Marquardt Switches, Inc.
Cazenovia, NY

 

[cowski]

There is a helix feature in NX2. If you are making a circular cross section spring, you can use the tube command (or cable command - depends on where you look) after you set up the helix and whatever end geometry you need. If you are using a non-circular cross section spring you will probably use the swept command using the helix as your guide string (hint: for orientation use vector direction and pick the axis of your spring or the cross section will 'twist' as it goes along the helical guide).

 

[UGperson]

mycon73,

Goto cadpo's web site click on news -> tech-tips ->UG

fourth topic from the bottom is a topic called "fun with law curves" that will tell you all you need to know about creating springs. You can also download sample parts.

Regards,
Jeremy

 

[kadego]

Hi
Cowski
I am using NX3.
When trying to sweep a rectangular section along a helix it twists.
I cant seem to find an option for picking the helix axis as you described in your post.
Can you help me further?

Dave

 

[cowski]

I'm stuck on NX2 for the time being, but here is how it works for me. Choose guide string and cross string, then a dialog pops up with alignment parameter, tolerance, etc; then if there is only 1 guide string another dialog pops up for orientation method (vector direction is an option here).

I'm 99% confident the vector direction option is still on NX3, its just a matter of where they hid it.

 

[kadego]

Hi Cowski
I tried to create it in NX2 but I dont get a dialog box with the option for orientation as you described.
Is there a setting somewhere to turn it on?
Dave

 

[geo12]

Hi kadego,
I created springs in NX2 and NX3,it is almost the same.

create a helix,with the parameters you need.(pitch,radius,direction etc..)
sketch a rectangle or square (the cross section of the spring)

sweep the sketch along guide (helix)
select the vector direction same as the helix direction.

Thanks

 

[cowski]

The orientation dialog will only come up if you are using only 1 guide string.

Can you describe the geometry? I'm assuming that you are using 1 helix as a guide string; what is your cross section geometry?

 

[kadego]

Its OK Cowski
I realised I was using 'sweep' instead of 'swept'
Problem solved.
Thanks for your input

Dave