How to create a roll of material with a cut pattern?

[bloodclot]

Hello all,
I need to create a roll of gasket material that has a cut-out pattern on it. I created a spiral and sweep using the helix option but it does not allow me to have the 12 inches of materal I need to lay flat before going into the sprial. What is the best way to create this while having the cut-out pattern follow the spiral? The link below will show what I have so far but it is pieced together (2 differnt lofts). I think it will have to be as 1 to have the pattern follow. Maybe it should be built w/ a spline?

Thanks,
Bloodclot

Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?

 

[Theophilus]

Perhaps you could convert your sketch entities to a spline and then generate a curve with which to create a sketch-driven pattern?

I'm not sure if it would work, but by converting to a spline at least you have only a single curve to follow.

I wonder if you could flatten this spiral using the sheet metal features. (I don't know if a spiral will flatten--don't convert to a spline for this attempt.) If so, you could insert sheet metal bends, flatten the bends, then add the bends back. I think that may work.

Try and see.


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

A spiral has an ever decreasing/increasing radius & as such would not have any bend lines. So you would not be able to Insert bends to make it SM.

You could however, create a config where the spiral is minimised & the straight is maximised, &have the cut-out pattern showing accordingly.

See the Unwindable Spirals at

http://www.mikejwilson.com/solidworks/solidworks_files-05.htm

Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[TateJ]

I question wheather you really need that level of detail. Your spital is already "loose"... the real material roll would be "tight"... so you've already compromized on your realism. Why bother putting the pattern past the flat portion? Just something to consider...

Windows 2000 Professional / Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2006 SP02.0 / SpaceBall 4000 FLX
Diet Coke with Lime / Dark Chocolate
Lava Lamp
www.Tate3d.com​