Elliptical helix

[mechyguy]

Any suggestions on how to construct an elliptical helix? I can only get the helix and spiral function to work with a circle.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

thread559-205578

 

[mechyguy]

That's exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the link!

 

[Theophilus]

What in the world is everyone doing with these things lately? I'm gonna have to put one of these in one of my widget designs not to feel left out. ..



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

What did you dream? It's all right--we told you what to dream.
--Pink Floyd, Welcome to the Machine

 

[mechyguy]

Don't worry Theophilus, I don't need an elliptical spring either. I'm actually trying to create a concertina wire (barbed wire used by military). I saw the thread posted previously on the subject matter and it's very helpful, not to mention clever. My appreciation for all the valuable advice!

 

[Theophilus]

Yeah. ..maybe some barbed wire added to a widget. ..might be the hot new thing in design. ..



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

What did you dream? It's all right--we told you what to dream.
--Pink Floyd, Welcome to the Machine

 

[mechyguy]

On to the next dilemma, I got stuck trying to create the barbs for this wire. I used the curve driven pattern function to populate the extrusion around the helix. I want the pattern to align with the curve, rather than with the original. I can't seem to be able to find face normal to select to get the function to work.

 

[4zengineering]

Jeff

I could have used this knowledge to make a more realistic model for a spring energized seal that I worked on.

I will be using this knowledge to model a spring for an ammo box that I'm currently working on.

So in case #2, finding this thread was pretty good timing for me.

 

[mechyguy]

To answer my own question, I finally got the pattern to work. The face normal selection (alignment property of the curve driven pattern) was just the original surface extrusion of the elliptical shape of the helix. Once that was selected the pattern aligned correctly.

I hope this helps anyone stuck in the same predicament as me!