Calculate undeveloped length of a variable pitch helical sweep

[bmclemore]

Hello To All,

We are trying to calculate the undeveloped length of a coil or helical sweep. There is no centerline to select on you have a trajectory in your helical sweep to select on, but that is not the undeveloped length. I can select the inside and outside edge of the helical sweep in sections. You could probably add those up and divide by the number of sections you have which might get you close to the answer. I am thinking there should be a better way to do it.

Thanks Billy

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[TomD.inPDX]

If you get the length from a reference selection (a datum reference which accounts for all the elements you want), you can place a point "along" the reference.  If you switch from percentage to actual. it should give you the total length.  You have to account for stretch and shrink.  You should also be able to do a direct measurement of the reference feature.  Either way, you could capture the information and use it in a calculation or further operations.