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

[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.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q216/DesertGuy1/coil.gif

[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.

[McClintock]

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.
http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn329/stevefike/spring-1.jpg

[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...

[McClintock]

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!
http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn329/stevefike/untitled.jpg

[Scott_F]

Inspired by socalmotos last post, I decided to make another coil spring to show the technique he explained. Using this method, you can make a coil spring of any length, diameter and wire size. Now if only we could make them go boing boing.

[partybarge_pilot]

Theres this new program out called Paris where you can watch things go boing boing all the time.........

[socalmoto]

But Im too lazy to get Paris and figure out how to use it. Dont you have a magic thing to make it work in SW?

[partybarge_pilot]

If only.....

[Dezertpilot]

Theres this new program out called Paris where you can watch things go boing boing all the time.........

LOL! getting ready fro the 1000 huh?:D

[Steven_Tolbert]

That is awesome

[rharriman]

I will have to check with my SW sources, I would be suprised if there isn't a way to "cycle" the spring. I can do it easily in Inventor by Autodesk but not sure about SW. I will be sure to report back though.;)


Example of shock cycled in Inventor. Only issue is if I compress it more I begin to get issues with the ends colliding (sp) before the coils, I could model them seperately but didn't in this example.