9 Replies Latest reply on Mar 7, 2009 9:06 PM by Gerald Davis

    mating springs

    Guest Sep 26, 2006 1:36 PM
      What exactly are the errors you get on the ends of the springs? One possibility is that the swept body may touch or intersect itelf at the closed end of the spring. You have to fudge the size of the wire to be just a bit undersize.

      As far as mating a spring, follow John's advice. That's how we do it.
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        • mating springs
          Guest Sep 26, 2006 1:36 PM (in response to Guest )
          for our springs, I had to create a central axis end planes. Trying to mate that thing by tangency was a nightmare.
          I've uploaded a screen capture of our spring prototype for reference
          Let me know if you want me to email you the model.
          • mating springs
            Guest Sep 26, 2006 1:36 PM (in response to Guest )
            We are using a helix and a sweep to create an extention spring, however, when we create the straight ends of our spring we come up with boo coo errors. We are also having problems in mating springs. We can not seem to mate them so they will not move out of postion. Thanks for any help in advance!
            • mating springs
              Guest Sep 26, 2006 1:36 PM (in response to Guest )
              I just learned that there is a typo in the zip file on the SW web site. When you try to run the macro, a compile error happens when it tries to resolve a variable for a "cirlie". Change that to a "circle" in the code and the macro runs.

              I've made the change to the attached zip file.

              Remember, you'll need to create your own sketch of a circle before running the macro. The "cirlie" represents the diameter of the spring.

              Really, this is a very cool example of code. Don't let one little typo put you off!

              Gerald Davis CSWP
              SW06 SP5.0 Office Professional
              2GB / Opteron 175 / FX3400 / ASUS A8N32-SLI
              http://www.cosug.com Colorado SolidWorks User Group
              • mating springs
                Guest Sep 26, 2006 1:36 PM (in response to Guest )
                There is a tremendously useful macro for modeling springs on the solidworks web site. It creates splendid springs without any brain damage. Flat ends, realistic profies. The result is easy to edit.

                You're looking for springapi.zip

                http://www.solidworks.com/down...00s/0349/springapi.zip

                Another way to get there might be http://files.solidworks.com/AP...0300s/0349/Example.htm

                Here's a quote from that web page:
                "How to create springs using a macro feature
                springapi.zip
                Updated: 3/7/2006
                Size: 0.067

                This macro feature helps you build a variety of springs.
                First create a circular sketch, and then run the macro.
                The macro PropertyManager page shows several adjustable parameters such as spring type, profile, and pitch.

                Gerald Davis CSWP
                SW06 SP5.0 Office Professional
                2GB / Opteron 175 / FX3400 / ASUS A8N32-SLI
                http://www.cosug.com Colorado SolidWorks User Group
                • mating springs
                  Guest Sep 26, 2006 1:36 PM (in response to Guest )
                  I could never get my springs to mate properly until I mated the origin to a plane and the axis to another axis - then it works every time.