How to model a coiled extension spring

[MYR_Industries]

I am drawing a blank on how to model a coiled extension spring.  The simplest example would be an extension spring wrapped around a cylinder.  Any suggestions?  I am currently on CREO 7.

[tbraxton]

Helical sweep will generate the coils.

Tips on how to do it:

Did You Know? Creating Helical Sweeps for Springs - PTC Community

[MYR_Industries]

I can do a regular spring.  I want to model the spring wrapped around a cylinder.  A spring coiled up.

[Chris3]

Their website is down for me right now, but I usually go to Lee Springs and download one of their models as a native Creo model. You can then edit the parameters to drive the spring to whatever you want.

[KenFarley]

I've built one of these, pretty much as @tbraxton suggests, based upon a helical sweep. I built 5 curves:

(a) A single helical curve (defined with cylindrical equation) to represent the center of the coiled wire.

(b) A pair of semicircular curves at both ends, modeling the "hook" at each end.

(c) A pair of splines at both ends, connecting the end of the coil to the semicircular hook adjacent to it, which is tangent at its end to each of the pertinent curves.

(d) Lastly, I do a sweep of a circular cross section along the curves to create the solid spring body.

Regrettably, I've only got a model in Creo 9.0 so can't provide a model that you can use, but that's the method.

[MYR_Industries]

I'm moving to 10 in the next couple of weeks if you want to send the model, but it sounds like your spring is just a regular straight spring.  I want the spring wrapped around a cylinder; coiled up.

[kdirth · Accepted solution]

Something like this:

Creo 7 attached.

[MYR_Industries]

That is it.  I should be able to take this and modify it to my needs.

[kdirth]

Here is one I created awhile back, that is controlled by parameters and relations.  It also has an installed length parameter tied to a predefined flexibility.

[MYR_Industries]

Thanks, I will take a look at it when I have a chance.  With the holidays and moving offices I haven't had time to revisit.

[Patriot_1776]

That's certainly not what I would have thought of as a coiled extension spring.  I think if you would have included a photograph or sketch it would have helped people help you.

[Patriot_1776]

For a "coiled extension spring" I would have expeced the need to be something more like these: