coil spring in solidworks

[socalmoto]

How have some of you been making coil springs in solidworks? I dont have much if any real 3d sketching knowledge. I did try to use a 3d spline and profile but couldnt get it to work. I gave coordinates for points to outlay the spring diameter and coil spread, but I couldnt give the spline a radius so it looks like a spring that was run over.

thanks

[SPONSOR]

Membership in the largest desert racing community has its advantages - Participate in Forum Discussions - Send and Receive Private Messages - Maintain Public Photo Albums - Access to Groups - User Profile in our Social Network - Increased Access to more Sub Forums - Reduced Online Advertisements Join our community today

[DesertGuy1]

One way that I have been shown is to make a spiral/helix and apply a swept boss/base to it...

1. Make a new part and start a sketch from the top plane.
2. From the top plane, draw a circle the diameter of your coil spring.
3. From the top tool bar, Insert > Curve > Helix/Sprial.

That opens up another box where you can specify revolutions, pitch and so forth. Make sure you set the starting angle at 0.00 for the next step.

4. While still in the sketch go the the right plane view... you should now see a rough drawing of your coil. Select the circle tool and place a circle at the bottom of the spiral (coincident to the helix) and size to represent the diameter of the coil itself.

5. Exit the sketch and click on the features and select the sept boss/base.

6. This also opens up another box... Under the profile and path section, click on the last circle that you made then click on the spiral itself... then Solidworks will do the rest.

You can play around with different settings and you can still edit each component but that should get you started. If you follow the above steps you are left with something like below.... I would like to hear if anyone has a better way to skin the cat.

[Scott_F]

That's the right way to do it. You can also add an extruded cut on the ends to look like a ground down wire. Most coil springs have a tighter pitch on the end coils to make the closed end, but I don't know if SW can do this. I wish you could animate a coil spring in SW.

[1450-ranger]

That's the right way to do it. You can also add an extruded cut on the ends to look like a ground down wire. Most coil springs have a tighter pitch on the end coils to make the closed end, but I don't know if SW can do this. I wish you could animate a coil spring in SW.

You have to draw another helix/spiral at the ends.

[socalmoto]

Thanks thats EXACTLY what I was looking for. I remembered someone mentioning a helical feature, but couldnt remember where or even if it was in SW. Im not sure if you can get any easier than that, only takes a minute. I also found that they have variable pitch on the helix/spiral and you can make the ends wind more. And it would be awesome if they could cycle, but at least now I can check for clearances.

[Scott_F]

That looks perfect. So, just to clarify, you added a variable pitch helix to each end? Can you post a screenshot of the variable pitch helix settings? Or just the numbers...

[1450-ranger]

Using the 'Pierce' Function on solidworks will help when combing those 3D helix sketches / paths.

[socalmoto]

I cant do full screen capture for some reason, it only capture the work area. Its all just one helix feature though. When you select to do a helix/spiral there is a tab labeled parameters. The first two options are to click either constant pitch or variable pitch. If you click the variable pitch a table will appear. The table will have columns labeled Rev, Dia, and P. You will have to enter numbers for each winding though.

I chose:
Rev Dia P
0 4in 0.13in
1 4in 0.5in
2 4in 2in
3 4in 2in
.
.
.
9 4in 2in
10 4in 0.5in
11 4in 0.13in

Then just cut the ends.

[partybarge_pilot]

I cant do full screen capture for some reason, it only capture the work area.

When you have what you want on the screen, hit the "print screen" button. Open paint and hit the paste button. It will appear......

[socalmoto]

When you have what you want on the screen, hit the "print screen" button. Open paint and hit the paste button. It will appear......

Youre just so damn smart!