Starting Angles of Helices

ztraina · Jan 15, 2004

How do I define the starting angle of a helix relative to a feature in solidworks? Lets say I want a helix's start point to be coincident with the end point of an arc. When I edit the length of the arc, I have to manually go into the helix feature definition and edit the starting angle.

Is there no way to mate a helix so that the starting angle updates itself without my manual intervention in the feature properties?

SBaugh · Jan 16, 2004

No you control the Helix start point with a Angle in the menu that is provided when making the Helix.

You will have to find the angle at which you want to start the helix at. You can that by using a sketch and construction geometry.

Some people think just because you put a sketch inside Sw it has to be used in a feature. That's not true, You can those sketches for just mesauring tools or for reference.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP [borg2]

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

TheTick · Jan 16, 2004

Once a helix is created, all of the parameters can be edited as dimensions. Just double-click the helix to see the dimensions. Any of these dimensions can be controlled via design table or equation.

The start angle of a helix is relative to the horizontal axis of the diameter sketch used to generate the helix. Start with the start angle at zero to verify your helix start angle position. Change the angle again to see which way the start position moves.

The way I control the helix start position (for spring design) is to first build a layout sketch for the arm positions and diameter. Then, I add a dimension to the layout sketch (can be drving or driven) for the start angle. That dimension is used in an equation to drive the actual start angle on the helix feature.

There is an example at the following URL (address is case-sensitive)

http://www.LiquidSchwarz.com/CAD/TorsionSpringByTheTick.htm