can you define a line with an equation with Solidworks

[mechpins]

I am trying to sketch a parabolic line with an equation but cant seem to figure it out.

 

[Theophilus]

Do you know there's a parabolic sketch feature you can use, similar to a line? You may be better off using that, and then interpreting key points for the parabola to pass through based on your equation.

(If you don't know about the feature I mentioned, search Parabola in Help and it will show you.)



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe transcends reason.

 

[ShaggyPE]

I don't think you can directly. You may want to look into creating a curve through points. You can create a spreadsheet with x,y,z, locations for your parabola. In the excel spreadsheet, you will have your equation(s).

Just a thought.

Shaggy

 

[mechpins]

Thanks for the help I think that I will try to use the excel spreadsheet method. I was asked to use an equation, but I think that I will get good results with the data points.

Thanks guys

 

[TheTick]

parabola equation: y=Ax^2+Bx+C

From this you can determine the focus and apex of the parabola. That should allow you to constrain a parabola according to the equation.

 

[Theophilus]

Thanks, Tick--I'd forgotten the simple equation.

Anyway, a parabola is a parabola. Check it out in the sketch and you'll notice you can scale/stretch it to whatever you need. Pin down the focal point and the rest ought to be quite simple.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe transcends reason.

 

[TheTick]

Be careful as to how you sketch your parabola, that you use a parabola entity and not a spline. Splines have an extra degree of freedom that cause variance. A spline constrained to match a parabola by defining points will never completely match a true parabola, no matter how many defining points are used.