Starting Angles of Helices
Starting Angles of Helices
(OP)
How do I define the starting angle of a helix relative to a feature in solidworks? Lets say I want a helix's start point to be coincident with the end point of an arc. When I edit the length of the arc, I have to manually go into the helix feature definition and edit the starting angle.
Is there no way to mate a helix so that the starting angle updates itself without my manual intervention in the feature properties?
Is there no way to mate a helix so that the starting angle updates itself without my manual intervention in the feature properties?






RE: Starting Angles of Helices
You will have to find the angle at which you want to start the helix at. You can that by using a sketch and construction geometry.
Some people think just because you put a sketch inside Sw it has to be used in a feature. That's not true, You can those sketches for just mesauring tools or for reference.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com
http://www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Starting Angles of Helices
The start angle of a helix is relative to the horizontal axis of the diameter sketch used to generate the helix. Start with the start angle at zero to verify your helix start angle position. Change the angle again to see which way the start position moves.
The way I control the helix start position (for spring design) is to first build a layout sketch for the arm positions and diameter. Then, I add a dimension to the layout sketch (can be drving or driven) for the start angle. That dimension is used in an equation to drive the actual start angle on the helix feature.
There is an example at the following URL (address is case-sensitive)
http://www.LiquidSchwarz.com/CAD/TorsionSpringByTheTick...
http://www.EsoxRepublic.com