Hello all,
I am trying a challenge to model a screw with the thread following a helical path with the thread getting smaller as it goes towards the tip. See screen shot. I am using a Loft with 2 sections and the feature starts off ok, but the cross section folds onto itself, see 2nd screen shot. Can any one tell me what's wrong here? I have also attached the part file.
Thanks in advance!
Peter
Hi Peter,
I see what you mean. I tried a few settings in the command and was able to get solid geometry out of it but it was not a desirable result so I'll send this off to our Quality and Development teams to look at it to see if there is something we can fix. A good thing to do is contact your SOLIDWORKS reseller and ask them to file a bug on your behalf so that you get notified when it is fixed.
But in the mean time, I think what you are trying to do is to get the "thread" to taper into the model. If that is true, why not simply use a single variable pitch sweep? I've done that in a new model for you to see how it works.
On a side note, we now have a Thread command in 2016 that will make creating threads much easier and faster. For now you can use our existing thread profiles or create your own but there's no option to taper it (yet).
Good luck with your project.
Jody
Hi Jody, thanks for the reply.
The variable pitch doesn't follow the tapering of the solid. Maybe I should have shown that. I want the end of the thread to also follow a cone shape. Think of a screw, the threads taper down to nothing while following the shape of the screw.
That's why I am trying to loft the thread shape along that tapered helix.
Peter
I am on 2012 so I cannot view your file. I understand why this is happening and a loft is not the feature you would want to use. Could I suggest using a sweep. Loft does not recognize the rotation of the line but a sweep is designed to stay normal to it. Use of guide curves will make it taper. Please interrogate this model, not perfect but will give you the idea:
Thanks Richard! That looks great and I just figured it out with the variable pitch in the helix.
Hi Jody,
I spoke way too soon. You are 100% correct with the variable pitch. I didn't understand that it would also be variable with the diameter. I have gotten this to work very nicely with your help.
I did try and loft on the helix with 3 cross sections and it still didn't work. Pro Engineer liked to make sure cross sections all had the same number of segments and specified which segments lofted with the others to avoid the twisting.
Thanks a lot!
Peter
+1 on the 2016 thread feature. I am anxious to see CamWorks identification for FBM.
OR
:CHIP:
Hi Peter,
I see what you mean. I tried a few settings in the command and was able to get solid geometry out of it but it was not a desirable result so I'll send this off to our Quality and Development teams to look at it to see if there is something we can fix. A good thing to do is contact your SOLIDWORKS reseller and ask them to file a bug on your behalf so that you get notified when it is fixed.
But in the mean time, I think what you are trying to do is to get the "thread" to taper into the model. If that is true, why not simply use a single variable pitch sweep? I've done that in a new model for you to see how it works.
On a side note, we now have a Thread command in 2016 that will make creating threads much easier and faster. For now you can use our existing thread profiles or create your own but there's no option to taper it (yet).
Good luck with your project.
Jody