Rotate - Translate, Helical Geometry Creation

[McRae]

What mechanism is there to rotate and translate entities - concurrent to each other? I have a cross section and point data that I would like to generate a helical part out of.

 

I could do this the labour intensive method but hope there is some hidden gem I just don't know about.

 

Thanks for your replies.

[McRae]

Anyone, Anyone...

[MACHINEMASTERG]

crickets chirping

[Scott Bond]

Hi Adrew

Can you post a file?

[Lucky]

I have created helical shapes from cross sections using both surfaces and solids.

 

Step 1 - determine the amount of rotation per unit of length needed for your helix (i.e. 360 degrees per inch).

 

Step 2 - rotate and translate copies of the cross section geometry so that you end up with 4 or more cross sections located correctly in 3D space.

 

Step 3 - create a lofted solid by chaining the cross sections. Be careful to begin chaining at the correct point to preserve the timing. Creating a reference point on your cross section chains may be helpful.

 

I have sometimes noticed issues at each end of the helical solid, so I typically create a solid that is longer than needed then Extrude Cut the ends off. The problems with the ends can be avoided by creating an additional rotated/translated cross section very near each end (i.e. 1 degree separation from the ends).

 

There are a few steps involved but the results are very good. A nice feature would be to create a helical solid by chaining a single contour, specifying length and pitch.

 

Good Luck

[McRae]

Kieth,

 

The method that you described is how I am doing it now. What I want is

 

quote:

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A nice feature would be to create a helical solid by chaining a single contour, specifying length and pitch.

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That!

 

 

What a usefull feature this would be for me... Secondly, does anyone have a reference book of polar equations complete with the equation plotted out? I have a mathematical handbook (Schaums') but there are only a limited number of plotted graphs - the ones with names of famous mathematicians...