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1-Visitor
August 1, 2019
Question

Need help on creating continuous helix for pipe

  • August 1, 2019
  • 10 replies
  • 3697 views

Hi all,

 

I'm trying to create a winding a pipe on a reel. Right now, I'm using helical sweep command. I can create one layer but for the next layer, I can't create without breaking the helix. Is there any way to create a continuous helical sweep with multiple layers?

 

Related image

 

Thanks in advance.

 

10 replies

tbraxton
22-Sapphire II
August 1, 2019

Curve from equation in theory.

Write the equation for the helix to expand between layers. The radius would be held constant for a given # of turns for each layer and then would move outward for the next "layer" to start. This will require logical control of the helix radius to be held constant, go variable after n turns and then be held constant for each layer.

 

I am not sure how you would reverse the direction trajectory for the helix to move opposite in a single feature though. It may be possible with relations within the curve equation but I have not actually done that.

 

 

1-Visitor
August 1, 2019

Hi,

 

Thanks for your comment.

 

I have also tried with helix with an equation. But, as you told I can't able to get the opposite direction in a single curve. My main mission is to keep the helix continuous in order to measure its length (length of a pipe or thread winded in reel).

 

Regards,

Ponnarasu Mathialagan

 

 

tbraxton
22-Sapphire II
August 1, 2019

If you are only using this to calculate the length wound on the reel then you do not need to reverse the direction of the helix. You would only need to control the total # of turns for each layer and run it out in one direction.

 

There are analytical solutions to the length of cable wound onto reels that may provide the length you need without modeling this.

Patriot_1776
22-Sapphire II
August 1, 2019

Interesting...

Is there a reason you really have to model this instead of faking it?  It can be done, but is the effort worth it?

1-Visitor
August 1, 2019

Hi Frank,

 

Thanks for immediate reply.

 

Yes. There is a reason for actual modeling instead of faking it.

Because I need to control the total length of a pipe.

If I tried to fake it I can't get the actual length of a pipe that is winded on the reel.

 

That's why I looking for a continuous helical sweep.

 

Regards,

Ponnarasu Mathialagan

Mahesh_Sharma
22-Sapphire I
August 1, 2019

@ponnarasu120 

 

I think this post will help... 

 

 

Patriot_1776
22-Sapphire II
August 1, 2019

...one of the other major problems is making sure that the pipe (you mean wire, or cable?) doesn't share volume with itself where it suddenly increases one "pipe" diameter in radius from the helix axis.  And then, at what point does the helix start to reverse itself along the axis?  1/2 turn?  A full turn?  Why is the length important?  Could you overshoot it and then trim it to length after doing the composite curve?  Is clocking important?

 

I'm all for learning for learning's sake, but if you have a deadline then this isn't the path.