I have two non-intersecting sketches (half circles of different sizes w/ curve towards center of helix) at either end of a helical path and can't seem to keep the sketches normal to the helix as it lofts.
I have two non-intersecting sketches (half circles of different sizes w/ curve towards center of helix) at either end of a helical path and can't seem to keep the sketches normal to the helix as it lofts.
Conversely, I can't seem to get a closed profile to sweep about a helix. Part attached.
David,
The inside of your sweep path needs to the smallest diameter. Your sweep profile includes the center of the part. Any time there is a sweep profile which self intersects it will be unable to complete a sweep. I attached an example sweep cut.
For some reason I can't open the file... Thank you for answering the sweep question. However, how can I loft through a helix? Attached file of current problem.
The version of Solidworks that I am using is 2012 SP3.0 x64.
create an axis on your X axis and then use it when you sweep in the "path alignment" dialog in the option " directional Vector" and pick the axis for direction.
Mark
David,
I am in SW2104. I have attached 2 screen shots which illustrate. I added a small circle to your sweep sketch it worked perfectly. I left your sketch visible for help, when sweeping around inside radii if the sketch overlaps itself the software does not know how to handle the overlap. If you were to move your ellipse sketch so that the current vertical line is coincident with the start point of the sweep your profile will work.
I personally use sweeps probably #3 in priority after extrudes and revolves. Hope this helps.
Did you make sure to add the pierce relation to your two defining sketches? This ensures your sketch is "normal" to your predefined helix path and would be my only guess as to why you cannot sweep your closed contour sketch..
Can you post what you have so far? I'm sure someone can help, but it's tough without seeing the Part. (Click on the text "Use advanced editor" at top right of the Reply box to post files.)