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Helix Sheetmetal spring

Helix Sheetmetal spring

Helix Sheetmetal spring

(OP)
Is there a way to unfold the helix spring I modeled? (see attachment) I created this using a rectangular sketch of material thickness and width then swept about a helix curve.
I also need to add four equally spaced features in each coil throughout the length of the spring. I have no idea how to do that.

Please help

[URL=http://server5.pictiger.com/img/433318/other/helix-coil.php][IMG]

Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

1) No, you cannot unfold it after using a sweep on a helix. The unfold function is for sheet metal parts only.

2) Depends on what the feature is & how it is to be positioned.

cheers
Helpful SW websites  FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

(OP)
Thanks CBL, As far as the feature goes its actually a lanced loop in the sheetmetal. Is there a way to pattern a feature cut about a curvrd helix? I know I can sweep a cut feature but in this case I have 4 cuts equally spaced per revolution

Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

(OP)
Thanks Jon, I will check this out, maybe I can do this??

Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

That's a neat trick. Surfaces are very useful when you know how to use them. A star for pointing out that one Jon.

cheers
Helpful SW websites  FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

(OP)
I used the example posted by jksolid (Jon) and constructed my Sheet Metal Helix and it worked perfectly. However, my helix curve geometry length is .3448 at the mid point of the sheet metal thickness but the Flat Pattern = .3347 thats .010 difference. This type of bend usually has a the neutral bend at .5 of material thickness. How can I adjust the Flat Pattern K factor to give me the correct length?

see attached jpeg

[URL=http://server4.pictiger.com/img/439135/picture-hosting/toms-tutorial.php]

Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

Look at Bend allowance and deduction as well maybe one of those will help... also look in the help it provides you the Equation so you can figure out the answer yourself that away too.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

Ah, I reread your post.  I can't get the K-factor or bend allowance to affect the flat pattern length, either.

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

(OP)
Scott, I understand the formulas and how to calculate bend allowance, but I can not find anywhere in SolidWorks to edit the value. When I create the lofted bend there is no option for bend allowance. If I edit the Sheet Metal feature K Factor in the history tree it has no effect on the lofted bend. The help menu says that the lofted bend uses the K-Factor or bend allowance but where do I control that? is there a Sheetmetal configuration somewhere that will allow me to enter or change values for the lofted bend?
thanks for your help

Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

(OP)
rj4794 I did this it says K factor .5 I change it to anything else and then check the length of my flat pattern and it has not changed?

Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

RMB the Sheetmetal feature and select K-factor value there.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

(OP)
I'm sorry this is so long winded, but I'm at a dead end. Scott, I RMB directly on the feature model but there is no K Factor option in the menu

Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

Tom, RMB your Sheet Metal feature in the feature tree (above your lofted bends feature), edit feature, and you should have your K-factor or bend allowance entry.

Your feature pattern should be pretty simple if you make a curve-driven pattern in the unfolded state.

RE: Helix Sheetmetal spring

I think you will find that the Help file is incorrect. I believe it should read "Lofted bends do NOT use K-Factor or Bend Allowance to calculate bends."

I say this for two reasons;

1) Changing the K-factor or Bend Allowance doesn't alter the flat length. The flat length will always be the same as the length of the helix used to sweep the shape.

2) The wording used in the Help file is grammatically incorrect ... "Lofted bends use the K-Factor or Bend Allowance to calculate bends." would be correct. The "do" is superflous.

cheers
Helpful SW websites  FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

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