v5 law with conic surface

[boffin5]

I have been using the law function with V5 conic surfaces, but one of the options has me confused. I can use linear or S type, but if I want to do an advanced law curve, it asks me to select a law curve. But how do I make it, and from where do I pick it?

 

[Kapitan]

To use the Advanced Law option in Sweep the Law has to be defined first so that it can selected off the Tree when required.

To illustrate how it works try modelling something like a flexible corrugated radiator hose, this will have a underlying space curve as a path, and minimum and maximum radii, for this exercise the hose is sinusoidal in between the radius limits. The Law is simply a relationship between one curve and another, so one curve is needed as a reference and another as a definition.

The reference curve is a straight line of any length and in the same plane, another curve is constructed to represent the hose. At this stage this is a cross-section drawing of a straight hose, before bending it to fit the application.

To make the sinusoidal hose curve construct a helix along a straight line that is parallel to previous straight line and offset from it by the mean radius. Normally project the helix on to the plane the curves lie on and Hide the helix.

Using LAW select the straight line as the Reference curve and the other as the Definition. The Law will now be on the Tree.

Open up Sweep, and use the option "Centre and Radius", select the space curve as the centre of the hose and then for radius select Law, and then select Advanced. This is when Law is selected off the Tree, and OK it, then in Sweep Apply or OK.

The contruction work for the Law can be anywhere in the model and any time previously and then hidden, the Tree carries it. All this can be done without Sketcher and the dimensions are almost unimportant as it is a parametric process and can be altered later. As the law is all about relationships the law line lengths are automatically scaled back to the length of the hose centre space curve.

Once the Law has been created it could be also used as an Offset curve on a surface or anywhere else a variable can be used. Law is a very powerful function and I have picked what may seem elaborate example but to describe it at the lowest level does not show the potential it has.

I can send a sample V5 model to try out and modify, if needed. My e-mail address is under my profile.

 

[Kapitan]

This should illustrate how one Law can be used in different ways. On the flange it is controlling a Curve Offset and on the hose it is defining the Sweep Radius.