How do I attach Helix curve parametrically?
How do I attach Helix curve parametrically?
(OP)
Hi guys,
Hope you can help. I have created a thread using the sweep command around a helix curve on a shaft. I want to attach the helix to the end of the shaft so that when I increase the shaft length, the helix will follow.
Any ideas?
Many thanks,
Andy.
Hope you can help. I have created a thread using the sweep command around a helix curve on a shaft. I want to attach the helix to the end of the shaft so that when I increase the shaft length, the helix will follow.
Any ideas?
Many thanks,
Andy.
---------------------
(Using: UG NX4)
Design Engineer





RE: How do I attach Helix curve parametrically?
RE: How do I attach Helix curve parametrically?
Sorry, I should have been more specific. I want the helix to stay the same length but stay attached to the end of the shaft when the shaft length is increased.
Many thanks,
Andy.
---------------------
(Using: UG NX4)
Design Engineer
RE: How do I attach Helix curve parametrically?
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
NX Design
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Cypress, CA
http://www.siemens.com/plm
http://www.plmworld.org/museum/
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: How do I attach Helix curve parametrically?
1) the thread start/end will rotate as the shaft length changes - this may or may not be important to your application
2) it will not work so well for a tapered thread.
RE: How do I attach Helix curve parametrically?
Cheers Hudson
RE: How do I attach Helix curve parametrically?
That function is the new 'Instance Geometry' command.
What you do is create your Helix (or any object) and then create the item that you wish to associate it to. Then using Instance Geometry you do a 'Point to Point' transform and select appropriate references points on both the helix and the object you wish to associate to and make a single 'Associative' copy. Granted, you will technically have TWO Helical curves, but you can hide the original one and just edit it by it's expressions, and of course the other will update since it's an instance of the original. And since the copy is not located relative to the point you selected on the body, if you edit it in such a manner that this point moves, the helix will also move.
Anyway, we've now got another tool to help create objects which you can associate to other objects.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
NX Design
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Cypress, CA
http://www.siemens.com/plm
http://www.plmworld.org/museum/
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: How do I attach Helix curve parametrically?
Many thanks for all your responses. There's plenty to think about so I'll give some of your ideas a go.
John - we're upgrading to NX5 anytime now, so in the future I'll be able to use the 'Instance Geometry' method.
Regards,
Andy.
---------------------
(Using: UG NX4)
Design Engineer