sweeping one end

[skanskan]

Hello

How can I sweep or pattern a straight line along a helix, but keeping one end of the line fixed in the origin?

In the picture I've shown just two "instances" of the pattern, made by hand.
I've tried pattern along but it gives strange results
I've also tried pattern with rotation using the z-axis but the "loose end" of the line doesn't keep it's constraints to the helix.

I cannot figure out how to do generate a sweep with that shape.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Your best bet would be to create a Point Set along the length of the helix and then create your lines between the common origin and the members of the Point Set.

If this is something you may be doing frequently, it wouldn't be that hard to write a simple program to automate this workflow.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[skanskan]

And what about the surface?
I've got it with "Studio Surface" but maybe there exist an simpler way.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Sorry...I missed exactly what it was that you were attempting.

What version of NX are you running?

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[mmauldin]

I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you looking for something like this?

 

[skanskan]

Hello

JohnRBaker.
NX 8.0


mmauldin,
this is the same surface I've got with "Studio surface" by using the same parameters that you used with "Through curve mesh" but you also used a point as primary curve. I had to "switch string" in order to get it.

Is it advised to use "studio surface" or "through curve mesh"?


What if I want to get several lines instead of a surface? (like my first picture) without programming?




regards

 

[skanskan]

I could pattern a vertical plane, by rotating it along the Z axis.
And then intersect that planes with the above surface.
But that way I cannot control very well the curve spacing along the spiral.

 

[mmauldin]

You can also use "extract isoparametric curve". I used 20 segments in the "v" direction to get this. The resultant curves are splines, albeit very straight splines, and I suspect that using the intersect method will do the same. Also, these curves are not associative or parametric.

See attached.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Starting with NX 8.0, Isoparametric curves can now be created as 'associative' features.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.