I am needing to model an extension spring being pulled around a radius. I'm not really worried about a motion study, but rather about clearance during the modeling process. Has anyone done this that can help me a little?
David
I am needing to model an extension spring being pulled around a radius. I'm not really worried about a motion study, but rather about clearance during the modeling process. Has anyone done this that can help me a little?
David
Thank you, this concept should work just fine, I see what you are saying about the need to build it in sections to make it look correct as well.
THANK YOU
David
Hi,
You could also use the sweep (twist along path) method see the attached sample.
Oh yeah I forgot about that method. It cuts out a couple steps.
I thought there was an old discussion with a bunch of cool spring examples and different methods for doing this kind of thing, but I couldn't find it. So here is an example which might accomplish what you are looking for, using a twisted surface sweep to create a path for the spring.
One final note: If you wanted the spring to be fully compressed for the straight sections and touching on the inside of the curved part then you might have to do it in sections. First model a straight portion with a normal helix+sweep or twisted sweep. Then model the curved part using the method in my example, adjusting the number of turns to get the spacing right. Then finally model the last straight section the same way as the first.