Create assembly associations with a helical feature

[plasticsRus]

I need help here, I am fairly new to SE so the answer may be obvious but I cant find it.

I am creating an assembly that consists of a helical feature that resides within a 'metal can' much like a spring retainer. My problem is that I have not been able to create an axial association (or any others for that matter) between the helix and the can. SE will not allow me to select anything except the very ends of the coil as surfaces. I cheated by creating a circular cutout through the center of the coil which gave me a surface to select, I know this is the wrong way to do it but created the correct visual appearance for now. I need to find the proper way to do this and the SE help was no help at all. Any ideas or answers would be great. Thanks.

 

[donyoung]

Hi,

for an axial alignment you can use the axis of the helical feature
After inserting the part into the asm, use the pull down
'Construction Display' (2nd. Button from left in the ribbon bar)
There activate 'Show reference axis' and the ref axis will
shw up (thin dashed line) which you can reference then

dy

 

[plasticsRus]

Thanks dy

worked great !!

I knew it would be something easy, its just difficult when self teaching. I will have to say though, it really seems that Solid Edge is way more intuitive than Solidworks ... I have been using the two of them for about 3 months now (Extended Trial). I am trying to make a decision of which to purchase for the company. Any opinions?

 

[donyoung]

Hi,

SWX or SE hmm hard to say and it might be a matter of taste ;-)
Both are quite mature, but I don't like the SWX workflow.
SE can be used quite well with self teaching and by going through
the tutorials. My working experience with SWX is quite small
for we've switched after a short period to SE.

So, it's up to you, personally I would choose either SE or PRO/E (same price range I think) but for the latter you need
some courses to get the full benefit out of it, the docs
are not that good as in SE. For SE there are a few books
available but they repeat more or less the tutorials which
are really good -- better save your money ...

dy